1 killed, 48 injured as Gaza aid site descends into chaos; Israel, GHF deny firing

Gaza: Gaza’s Health Ministry reported Wednesday that one person was killed and at least 48 others wounded after a crowd overran a new aid distribution site in southern Gaza.

The distribution centre, established near Rafah by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) with support from Israel and the US, descended into chaos on Tuesday as Palestinians forced through fencing amid soaring desperation for food.

An Associated Press journalist at the scene witnessed Israeli tank fire and flares from a military helicopter. However, it remains unclear whether the gunfire that caused the casualties came from Israeli troops, private contractors, or other sources. Both Israel and the GHF have denied opening fire on the crowd, claiming their forces only issued warning shots or withdrew.

The incident underscores mounting tensions around the controversial GHF aid delivery system, which has been rejected by the United Nations and major humanitarian organisations. Critics say the structure—comprising fenced, military-style hubs guarded by private contractors—risks weaponising food aid and violating humanitarian norms. They also warn it could be used to forcibly displace Gaza’s population by requiring relocation to access supplies.

Ajith Sunghay, head of the UN Human Rights Office for the Palestinian territories, said the fatal incident highlights the “dangers” of distributing aid under such volatile conditions. Gaza, with its 2.3 million residents, is facing near-famine after months of Israeli-imposed border closures.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted there was “a momentary loss of control” at the site but claimed order was restored. He reiterated plans to push Gaza’s population into a “sterile zone” in the south while continuing military operations elsewhere and promoting what critics call a forced expulsion plan under the guise of “voluntary emigration.”

In a separate escalation, Israeli warplanes bombed the international airport in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, on Wednesday, destroying Yemenia’s last remaining plane. The strike follows recent missile attacks on Israel by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Previous Israeli airstrikes had already disabled three other Yemenia aircraft.

The Houthis have supported Palestinians throughout the Gaza conflict, launching missiles at Israel, some of which have breached Israel’s missile defences. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and PM Netanyahu vowed further strikes if attacks from Yemen persist.

The ongoing conflict began on 7 October 2023 when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel's retaliatory campaign has since killed over 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ministry claims most of the dead are women and children but does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.

A previous version hadstated that Israeli forces fired on the crowd. It is currently unknown who fired the shots.
(With AP inputs)