At least four people have died in a tragic incident at a food aid centre in Gaza, where desperate crowds overwhelmed a World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse. The incident occurred in Deir Al-Balah amid an escalating humanitarian crisis following months of blockade.
According to the United Nations’ World Food Programme, “hordes of hungry” Palestinians stormed the Al-Ghafari warehouse in central Gaza to seize essential food supplies. AFP released footage showing large crowds grabbing bags of flour and boxes of food as gunfire sounded nearby. The origin of the gunfire remains uncertain, but authorities confirmed that two individuals were fatally crushed in the chaos and others were shot.
The WFP attributed the tragic event to spiralling humanitarian needs after a three-month blockade by Israel that dramatically restricted food and aid access in Gaza. The agency emphasized the urgent need to ramp up food assistance to prevent further loss of life, stating, “Gaza needs an immediate scale-up of food assistance. This is the only way to reassure people that they will not starve.”
This incident follows another deadly episode at a separate aid distribution site, where one civilian was killed and 48 injured after Israeli forces reportedly opened fire on Palestinians breaching a fenced food collection point. Witnesses described Israeli military helicopters firing flares and gunfire echoing as frightened civilians, including families, fled in panic.
The situation unfolds amid intensified Israeli military operations and ongoing but stalled ceasefire negotiations. In Tel Aviv, hundreds demonstrated for a ceasefire on the anniversary of the October 7 attack, an event that resulted in hostage-taking and deepened tensions.
Arbel Yehud, freed from Gaza captivity earlier this year, warned that breaking peace deals worsens the conditions for hostages and civilians alike. Currently, at least 57 hostages remain in Gaza, with Israeli military sources confirming 34 have died since the conflict began.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to escalate, underscoring the critical need for immediate and sustained international aid to address life-threatening shortages and prevent further tragedies.
