At least three Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded on Tuesday as chaos erupted during the inaugural day of a controversial US- and Israeli-backed aid distribution initiative in Gaza. Local authorities reported that the fatal incident took place at a distribution point managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in the southern city of Rafah.
The Gaza Ministry of Health stated that 46 individuals were injured and seven remain unaccounted for after the Israeli military reportedly opened fire on crowds surging to receive humanitarian aid, amidst weeks of severe hunger exacerbated by an ongoing blockade. The Israeli military, however, refuted responsibility for the deaths, claiming its forces discharged warning shots outside the aid site to re-establish control following a momentary breakdown of order. Meanwhile, the GHF denied any fatalities directly linked to the aid distribution.
The incident drew widespread condemnation from the United Nations and Palestinian officials, who accused Israel of deploying excessive force against desperate, starving civilians. A spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the scenes at the aid distribution points as “heartbreaking, to say the least,” advocating for more principled and operationally sound humanitarian efforts. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to delivering aid despite the formidable challenges.
The US State Department defended the initiative, downplaying the violence as isolated and dismissing criticisms as mere “complaints about style.” Tammy Bruce, spokesperson for the department, highlighted Hamas’ opposition to the aid program, asserting that militant efforts to obstruct aid had failed and that assistance was reaching those in need.
In stark contrast, the Government Media Office in Gaza denounced the Israeli military’s actions as a “deliberate massacre” and a “full-fledged war crime” perpetrated against civilians weakened by over 90 days of siege-induced starvation. The statement accused Israel of a complete failure in managing the humanitarian crisis it had helped create.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the disruption at the distribution site but maintained that the situation was swiftly brought under control. He defended the initiative as a controlled and coordinated effort with American partners and controversially denied any signs of malnutrition among Gaza’s population since the conflict began.
The aid distribution initiative led by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has attracted scrutiny due to its connections with the US and Israel, raising concerns about impartiality and effectiveness in providing crucial assistance to Gaza’s vulnerable population.
