Palestinians in Gaza are facing dire circumstances as they flock to aid distribution centers, only to be met with gunfire from both local armed groups and Israeli forces. On Monday, witness reports indicated that individuals trying to collect food aid from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) found themselves in peril, particularly in the Tal al-Sultan area of Rafah, where it was claimed that gunmen fired on them.
Despite the GHF’s statements that aid was distributed "without incident" at two locations in the region, the health ministry has reported six fatalities and 99 injuries since the beginning of aid collection efforts on May 26. Meanwhile, the Israeli military is investigating these claims, emphasizing its stance that it has only targeted “suspects.”
Complicated dynamics were noted at the aid sites, with accounts pointing to the presence of masked gunmen who seemed to operate alongside Israeli troops. As recounts from witnesses surfaced, individuals described scenes of chaos, where those merely seeking food aid became victims of violence. One man expressed disbelief at suddenly being shot at by masked individuals who had initially appeared to be assisting the process.
As treatment centers fill with casualties, Gaza's health ministry highlights the continued struggle as many are left injured or dead in pursuit of basic necessities. The GHF has reported distributing over 11 million meals within two weeks, though the ongoing violence casts a shadow over their efforts.
Though Israel and the U.S. claim that the new aid distribution model, which attempts to bypass the UN, caters to preventing resources from falling into Hamas's hands, the situation remains dire with critical humanitarian needs unmet and safety concerns escalating. The toll of the conflict since October 7, when violence erupted significantly, has left over 54,000 people dead in Gaza, amplifying the urgency for effective aid delivery amidst chaos.
