Additional Coverage:
- ‘Heartbreaking’: Thousands overwhelm Gaza food distribution site after aid blockade (abcnews.go.com)
Rafah, Gaza – Chaos erupted Tuesday as two new U.S.-backed food distribution centers opened in Rafah, offering a glimmer of hope after an 11-week blockade. Thousands of Palestinians converged on the centers, desperate for aid, leading to an overwhelming surge that forced staff to evacuate and prompted warning shots from Israeli troops. The IDF confirmed the use of warning shots but denied firing directly at the distribution site, stating control was quickly regained and aid operations would continue.
Operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), the centers in Rafah’s Tal al-Sultan neighborhood and the Morag Corridor distributed food boxes to thousands of families. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce declared the operation a success, acknowledging minor challenges while highlighting the delivery of 8,000 food boxes, equivalent to 462,000 meals. She attributed the success to overcoming Hamas’ earlier disruption of aid flow.
However, the initiative faced criticism from established aid organizations in Gaza, questioning the GHF’s experience in large-scale operations. A U.N. spokesperson called the scene “heartbreaking,” emphasizing the dire situation in southern Gaza, with fuel shortages and limited aid access.
The U.N. reiterated its call for open crossing points and respect for international law to facilitate humanitarian efforts. The blockade has led to widespread malnutrition and famine-like conditions, leaving an estimated 500,000 Gazans facing starvation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the distribution method, claiming it prevents Hamas from seizing aid. He argued that distributing boxed meals instead of bulk flour makes it harder for Hamas to confiscate supplies, particularly with Israeli forces guarding the sites.