Desperation and gunfire at distribution sites

Nuseirat: Thousands of desperate Palestinians gathered at food distribution sites across Gaza on Thursday, with several witnesses reporting scenes of chaos and violence. The aid is being distributed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a new initiative backed by the United States and Israel.

At one centre in central Gaza, videos showed smoke bombs flying through the air and gunfire as Israeli tanks moved nearby. Witnesses said Israeli troops fired warning shots and smoke bombs to control the crowd after the centre ran out of supplies.

“I came to get a sack of flour or a tin of sardines,” said Mahmoud Ismael, who walked miles on crutches due to a previous leg injury. “There is no food in my house, and I can't get food for my children,” he added, after returning home empty-handed.

Violence and injuries reported

Over the past three days, gunfire has been reported at several GHF centres. According to Gaza health officials, at least one person has died and dozens have been injured.

Dr Khaled Elserr, a surgeon in Khan Younis, said he treated two patients with gunshot wounds from the centres on Thursday — a 17-year-old girl and a man in his 20s. He noted that more casualties had arrived but didn’t have exact figures.

GHF and Israel deny responsibility

In a statement, GHF said no shots were fired at its centres over the past three days and denied any casualties, blaming the reports on Hamas. The Israeli military also denied wrongdoing, saying it has recently allowed nearly 1,000 truckloads of supplies into Gaza and accused the UN of failing to distribute the aid. It claimed Hamas was stealing supplies and withholding hostages.

Military spokesperson Brig Gen Effei Defrin said the army would continue providing for civilians while ensuring aid did not reach Hamas.

Aid centres overwhelmed by crowds

The GHF, which opened three centres this week — two near Rafah in the south and one in central Gaza — has struggled to maintain order. With trucks unable to reach many areas, people walk for miles to access the aid hubs.

At a Rafah site near the Morag Corridor, Shehada, a 41-year-old man, said he and his cousin arrived at 5:30 am to find thousands waiting. He described the scene as chaotic, with people rushing pallets of food. Israeli troops reportedly fired at the ground to disperse the crowd, wounding his cousin in the foot.

Mohammad Abu-Elinin said some groups stole cartloads of flour and food. Samira Z’urob added, “The thieves had stolen people’s aid.”

She was only able to get a bag of pasta and a can of beans.

“I haven’t had flour for more than a week,” she said.

Another woman, Heba Joda, said fences were torn down and pallets taken. She claimed Israeli troops fired gunshots as crowds fled, injuring one man with shrapnel.

Aid not reaching all

In central Gaza, Israeli troops reportedly used tear gas and smoke grenades when food ran out. Many left empty-handed. Aisha Na’na said, “We came to get food for our children, but returned with nothing.”

GHF claims it has distributed over 32,200 boxes of food since Monday. Each box contains basic items like sugar, rice, lentils, and pasta, enough to make 58 meals. GHF plans to open a fourth centre soon and expand operations further.

UN refuses to join new aid system

The United Nations and several aid groups have refused to take part in the GHF system, saying it violates humanitarian principles. They argue it allows Israel to use aid as a weapon, pushing people towards certain areas and failing to meet the population’s needs.

UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Israeli authorities had not granted permission for UN trucks to retrieve supplies at the border for the past three days.

Gaza’s growing humanitarian crisis

Hunger and malnutrition have worsened for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents after nearly three months of restrictions on food, fuel, and medical supplies. Only limited aid has entered in the past two weeks, and the new distribution system has only added to the turmoil.

(AP inputs)