More than 600 Palestinians have been killed near aid distribution points and convoys in Gaza since the end of May, according to the United Nations human rights office, which says the Israeli military has been involved in some of the deadly incidents.

The UN human rights office (OHCHR) said on Friday that at least 613 people have died at or close to locations operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which distributes food with support from Israel and the United States.

The agency said 509 of the deaths occurred in areas it described as “GHF-related,” while others happened near humanitarian convoys.

Spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said although the UN could not directly assign responsibility for the killings, “it is clear that the Israeli military has shelled and shot at Palestinians trying to reach the distribution points” run by GHF.

“We have recorded 613 killings, both at GHF points and near humanitarian convoys — this is a figure as of June 27. Since then, there have been further incidents,” said Shamdasani.

She added that the UN was still receiving reports and verifying them using a rigorous methodology, including hospital records of the dead. “Information keeps coming in,” Shamdasani said. “This is ongoing, and it is unacceptable.”

The GHF began distributing aid at the end of May, using a delivery model the UN has criticised for lacking neutrality and impartiality.

While the foundation has denied that any killings or injuries have taken place at its sites, it maintains that any casualties nearby fall under the responsibility of the Israeli military.

As the violence around non-UN aid points continues, hospitals in Gaza have been overwhelmed by a surge in casualties.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said Nasser Hospital has effectively turned into a massive trauma centre, with staff treating a continuous stream of patients injured near GHF food distribution areas.

Rik Peeperkorn, WHO representative for the West Bank and Gaza, said during a briefing in Geneva that medical teams at Nasser have faced daily injuries for weeks.

“They've seen already for weeks, daily injuries ... [the] majority coming from the so-called safe non-UN food distribution sites. The hospital is now operating as one massive trauma ward,” he said.

According to the WHO, most of those injured are young boys, many suffering from gunshot wounds to the head, chest, and knees.

Peeperkorn noted that both health workers and eyewitnesses confirmed that victims were attempting to access aid at GHF sites when they were hit.

He highlighted the case of a 13-year-old boy shot in the head and a 21-year-old man left paralysed after a bullet lodged in his neck. “There is no chance for any reversal or any proper treatment. Young lives are being destroyed forever,” said Peeperkorn.

He called for an immediate halt to the violence and increased humanitarian assistance to Gaza.