Over the past week, the Gaza Strip has become a scene of nearly constant gunfire near new food distribution centers established for Palestinians in urgent need. Eyewitnesses claim that Israeli soldiers stationed nearby have opened fire, resulting in the deaths of at least 80 people and wounding hundreds more, as reported by hospital officials.
The Israeli military admits to firing warning shots in several instances and acknowledges shooting directly at a few individuals deemed “suspects” who disregarded the warnings. However, they maintain that firing at civilians was not their intention and deny any involvement of Hamas in the violence near the food hubs, although investigations are ongoing.
Context surrounding these confrontations is primarily linked to the crowded pathways leading to the aid distribution centers managed by the newly established Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). This group, made up mainly of American contractors, is spearheading the delivery of aid, which Israel aims to carry out independently of previously U.N.-coordinated efforts. While Israel accuses Hamas of diverting aid under the U.N. framework, the U.N. and associated organizations have rejected these claims, arguing that the new system might turn food into a form of leverage, violating humanitarian standards and proving inefficient.
The GHF began dispensing aid on May 26, following a prolonged Israeli blockade that left Gaza’s over 2 million residents on the verge of famine. Aid distribution is confined to hubs monitored by armed contractors, with locations in central Gaza and the outer areas of Rafah in the south. These hubs do not operate every day. The GHF temporarily stopped aid delivery on Wednesday to discuss civilian safety enhancements with the Israeli military, including traffic management and troop training adjustments.
Access to the hubs situated in military zones is restricted for journalists. To receive aid, Palestinians from Rafah must travel for miles along routes supposedly kept secure by Israeli forces. The GHF’s public advisories urge individuals to remain on the designated roads to avoid peril. Distribution typically commences at 5 a.m., but scores of Palestinians start their journey hours in advance amidst the pre-dawn darkness to avoid missing the scarce provisions, consequently passing by Israeli troops.
The Flag Roundabout has become notorious for heavy gunfire incidents, particularly on Sunday and Tuesday. Located approximately 1,000 yards from a GHF hub in Rafah and close to an Israeli military base, the area became a focal point for tragedy. Early on Sunday, witnesses recounted warnings via drones instructing the crowds to turn back until the hub opened. Despite the warnings, by 3 a.m., substantial numbers had gathered, leading Israeli troops to open fire.
Mohammed Ahmed, a witness in the throng, reported no provocations before shots were fired, suggesting that the sheer number of people might have seemed threatening to the soldiers. Similar accounts were shared regarding an attack on Tuesday. The Israeli military maintains that its actions involved warning shots meant to disperse groups approaching them and contends that Hamas efforts have exacerbated these situations by disrupting aid reception.
In response, the GHF has declared no incidents of violence within or around their distribution centers, emphasizing that their security staff have refrained from using their weapons. Acknowledging Israeli investigations, the GHF expressed sorrow over civilian injuries and deaths occurring outside their secured corridor. This sentiment was echoed by aid workers dealing with the overflow of casualties, with hospitals like the Red Cross field hospital in Rafah and Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis overwhelmed by the tide of wounded individuals, including women and children.
Humanitarian organizations had doubted the efficacy and safety of the new food distribution methods, predicting its eventual downturn into violence. This approach starkly contrasts with the existing U.N.-coordinated system, which ensured aid delivery directly to those in need, independent of the assertion that Hamas manipulates aid distribution—a claim rejected by many in the humanitarian community.
The tragic consequences of such distribution mechanisms are not entirely new, with past encounters resulting in significant casualties as desperate crowds sought resources. Palestinians describe the experiences at these sites as frenzied and competitive. Once the gates open, the rush for supplies—boxed food barely sufficient for multiple days—is acute, with limited resources leaving many empty-handed. Criticism from within aid organizations emphasizes that current provisions are grossly inadequate, especially concerning children’s needs, indicating a pressing requirement for improved humanitarian solutions.