UN human rights chief Volker Turk stated that the "deadly attacks" on civilians near aid distribution sites in the Gaza Strip constitute "a war crime," highlighting the gravity of the situation on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, rescuers in the Palestinian territory reported Israeli fire targeting civilians near an aid distribution center in the southern city of Rafah killed 27 people, marking an increase from an earlier toll, following a similar incident on Sunday when rescuers said 31 people were killed at the same location, with witnesses stating they had been on their way to collect aid.

"Deadly attacks on distraught civilians trying to access the paltry amounts of food aid in Gaza are unconscionable," Turk stated, adding that "for a third day running, people were killed around an aid distribution site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. This morning, we have received information that dozens more people were killed and injured." 

Turk emphasized the need for an immediate and unbiased investigation into each attack while stressing that perpetrators must face accountability, noting that targeting civilians represents a severe violation of international law and amounts to a war crime.

"Palestinians have been presented the grimmest of choices: die from starvation or risk being killed while trying to access the meagre food that is being made available through Israel's militarised humanitarian assistance mechanism," Turk stated.

The UN human rights chief warned that this militarized approach puts lives at risk and fails to meet international humanitarian standards for aid delivery, echoing concerns previously raised by the United Nations.

Turk's statement echoes calls by the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, who urged an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a swift probe into the killings that took place at the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites.

"I am appalled by the reports of Palestinians killed and injured while seeking aid in Gaza yesterday. It is unacceptable that Palestinians are risking their lives for food," calling for an "immediate" and "independent" investigation into the events and demanding that perpetrators be held accountable.

'Israel' kills dozens near GHF aid centers in Gaza

Gaza's Ministry of Health reported a sharp increase in Palestinian casualties near aid distribution centers, with the death toll climbing to 75 after 35 people were killed in a single incident on Sunday, according to a statement published on June 2nd.

Earlier on the same day, the Gaza Government Media Office reported that Israeli attacks on aid centers have killed 52 people and injured 340 others since May 27.

"Israel" denied its involvement, however, widely circulated footage documented the horrifying moments where the Israeli Occupation Forces opened live fire on thousands of Palestinians as they tried to access the aid provided by the GHF in Rafah, southern Gaza.