At least three Palestinians were killed and dozens injured on Tuesday amid chaos during the first day of a contentious aid distribution effort in Gaza, supported by the US and Israel.
The deadly incident took place at a distribution site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in Rafah, southern Gaza, according to local officials. The Gaza Ministry of Health reported 46 people wounded and seven missing after Israeli forces fired on crowds rushing for humanitarian aid, amid weeks of severe hunger caused by the ongoing blockade.
Read more: Aid Trucks Enter Gaza, Yet UN Confirms No Supplies Delivered to Those in Need
The Israeli military denied causing the deaths, stating that their troops only fired warning shots outside the aid center to restore order after a brief loss of control. Meanwhile, GHF rejected claims linking any fatalities to the aid distribution.
The violence sparked strong condemnation from the United Nations and Palestinian authorities, who accused Israel of using excessive force against desperate civilians. A UN spokesperson called the scenes at the aid points “heartbreaking” and urged for more principled and effective humanitarian responses. The UN reiterated its commitment to continuing aid deliveries despite challenges.
The US State Department defended the aid program, describing the violence as isolated incidents and dismissing criticism as complaints over “style.” Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce highlighted Hamas’s resistance to the initiative but emphasized that aid was successfully reaching those in need.
Conversely, Gaza’s Government Media Office condemned the Israeli military’s actions as a “deliberate massacre” and a “war crime” targeting civilians suffering under a blockade lasting more than 90 days. They blamed Israel for the worsening humanitarian crisis.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged disturbances at the site but said the situation was quickly contained. He defended the initiative as a coordinated effort with US partners and controversially denied any signs of malnutrition in Gaza’s population since the conflict began.
The aid distribution led by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has faced scrutiny over its connections to the US and Israel, raising questions about its neutrality and ability to effectively aid Gaza’s vulnerable population.
