Violence erupted at an aid distribution center in Gaza as thousands of Palestinians surged to secure food and humanitarian supplies amid an ongoing famine threat. The center, operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US-backed and Israeli-approved organization, began distributing aid on Tuesday after months of blockade imposed by Israel.
Video footage circulating widely on social media depicted desperate individuals tearing down fences and scaling barriers at the GHF facility in Rafah, southern Gaza, in an effort to access food deliveries. The unexpected volume of people overwhelmed the distribution process, forcing foundation members to retreat temporarily, according to a statement from GHF. Israeli military forces responded by firing multiple warning shots to contain the crowd.
Thousands rushed to obtain supplies from the newly established US-backed center in Gaza, a move criticized by some as potentially serving military objectives.
Residents interviewed by CNN expressed relief at receiving aid but highlighted significant challenges, including long distances to the center, lengthy lines, and general disorganization contributing to chaotic scenes. One aid recipient described exhaustion after struggling to reach the site, doubting the security forces' ability to manage the large crowd effectively.
Since Israel imposed a near three-month blockade restricting aid to Gaza, the World Health Organisation has warned of an imminent famine impacting over two million residents. The GHF, which deploys armed American security personnel, aims to replace the United Nations as the principal supplier of humanitarian assistance in the region.
However, the United Nations and several humanitarian organizations have declined to collaborate with GHF, citing concerns that its aid strategy violates core humanitarian principles and risks politicizing or "weaponizing" aid delivery.
The UN described the distressing scenes in Rafah as "heartbreaking" and reiterated its readiness to provide assistance to Gaza's vulnerable population, emphasizing the urgent need for an unimpeded humanitarian response.
The situation remains fluid as Gaza faces acute food shortages and escalating humanitarian needs.
