The chaotic first days of a new food aid regime in Gaza backed the U.S. and Israel
Scores of Palestinian men, women and children raced across a dusty expanse toward an aid warehouse in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. A few minutes later, a lucky few emerged with bags and boxes of food.
Those were the desperate scenes that marked the first turbulent week of a new U.S. and Israel-backed plan for aid distribution in the enclave.
The United Nations World Food Programme said in a statement Wednesday that 'hordes of hungry people' broke into its Al-Ghafari warehouse in central Gaza's Deir al-Balah attempting to get a hold of supplies being prepared for distribution.
The UNWFP cited "initial reports" that at least two people were killed and several more injured in the incident. NBC News was not immediately able to independently verify those details.
An Israeli military spokesperson said they were not aware of their forces being connected to the reported deaths, or of any shots being fired by troops.
Those reported deaths came after chaotic events Tuesday, when thousands of hungry Palestinians flooded a controversial new aid distribution center set up by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation — or GHF — which is tasked with distributing supplies in the U.S. and Israel-backed plan that came into effect Monday.
In that case, Israeli soldiers fired live rounds into the air to disperse crowds, with the GHF seeking to quell concerns over its rocky first week of operations in a news release Wednesday.
The GHF rejected the claims of Gaza's Hamas-run government media office, that three Palestinians were killed, 46 others injured and seven people missing after the incident. The foundation said that no one was killed while trying to access their distribution site.
NBC News was not immediately able to verify the facts on the ground.
GHF was tasked with distributing aid in Gaza after Israel earlier this month lifted an almost three-month-long blockade barring the entry of food, medicine and other vital supplies following warnings of rising starvation in the enclave.
Under the plan, aid will be distributed from at least four distribution points in southern Gaza, with the aim of expanding with additional sites. GHF took over aid distribution after Israel lifted a more than two-month blockade barring the entry of food, medicine and other vital supplies into the enclave earlier this month.
The United Nations, which has refused to participate in the plan, has condemned the initiative as a 'distraction' that undermines a longstanding humanitarian framework in Gaza. The U.N. says the effort poses a threat to the independence of aid operations, while simultaneously displacing Palestinians en-masse to Gaza's south.
Israel has maintained that a new aid distribution system was necessary, alleging that Hamas was diverting supplies. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and other humanitarian groups have told NBC News they have not seen evidence of aid being diverted to Hamas or other armed groups during the war.
Israel has long been deeply critical of the United Nations and its work in the Gaza Strip and the broader Palestinian territories.
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BBC News
5 hours ago
- BBC News
How the controversial US-Israeli backed Gaza aid plan turned to chaos
The masked and armed security contractor atop a dirt mound watches thousands of Palestinians who have been kettled into narrow lanes separated by fences makes a heart shape with his hands and the crowd responds - the fence begins to bend as they push against jubilant scene was filmed on Tuesday, the opening day of an aid distribution centre - a vital lifeline for Gazans who haven't seen fresh supplies come into the strip for more than two months due to an Israeli by that afternoon, the scene was one of total chaos. Videos showed the distribution centre overrun by desperate civilians trampling over toppled barriers; people flinched as sounds of gunshots rang was the disorderly start to a controversial new aid distribution scheme operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a newly created body backed the the US and has been tasked with feeding desperately hungry Gazans. The UN said more than two million are at risk of starvation. The foundation, which uses armed American security contractors, aims to bypass the UN as the main supplier of aid in Gaza. It has been roundly condemned and boycotted by aid agencies and the UN. But Israel has said an alternative to the existing aid system was needed to stop Hamas stealing aid, which the group denies get a picture of the first few days of this new aid delivery system, BBC Verify has authenticated dozen of images at distribution sites, interviewed humanitarian and logistics experts, analysed Israeli aid transport data and official statements released by the GHF, and spoken with Gazans searching for supplies. Chaotic scenes at distribution centres GHF said it aimed to feed one million Gazans in its first week of operations through four secure distribution sites.A foundation spokesperson said on Friday, its fourth day of operations, that it had distributed two million meals. The BBC has not been able to verify this figure, which would be less than one meal per Gazan over the course of four did not respond to our inquiries about how it was tracking who had been receiving a video filmed at GHF's northern site near Nuseirat on Thursday, Palestinians can be seen being running away from a perimeter fence after GHF contractors threw a projectile that exploded with a loud bang, a flash and smoke. GHF in a statement said its personnel "encountered a tense and potentially dangerous crowd that refused to disperse"."To prevent escalation and ensure the safety of civilians and staff, non-lethal deterrents were deployed—including smoke and warning shots into the ground," it said."These measures were effective", it added, "and no injuries occurred." BBC Verify cannot independently confirm that evening, GHF warned Gazans via Facebook that it would shut down any site where looting GHF is not the only aid organisation facing serious challenges. The night before the GHF warning, a World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse was looted, resulting in several deaths which are still being response to the incident, the WFP said humanitarian challenges "have spiralled out of control" and called for "safe, unimpeded humanitarian access" to Gaza WFP did not respond to BBC questions about how it would implement further security measures at its warehouses. Disorganised GHF communication Palestinians seeking aid have characterised the GHF-led operation as disorganised, saying a lack of communication has contributed to the chaotic scenes seen this have been further muddied by misinformation. BBC Verify has seen at least two Facebook profiles purporting to be official GHF accounts, sharing inaccurate information about the status of the aid distribution page with more than 4,000 followers posted inaccurate information, sometimes alongside AI-generated images, that aid had been suspended or that looting at GHF centres had been rampant.A GHF spokesman confirmed to BBC Verify that both these Facebook accounts were fake. He also said that the foundation had launched an official Facebook information online showed the page was first created on Wednesday, the day after distribution operations organisation Oxfam and local Gazan residents have told the BBC that residents are instead relying on word of mouth to circulate information when aid was available."All of the people are hungry. Everyone fights to get what they want, how are we supposed to get anything?" said Um Mohammad Abu Hajar, who was unable to secure an aid box on Thursday. Aid agency concerns Oxfam criticised the location of the GHF distribution sites, telling BBC Verify that it imposed "military control over aid operations".It's policy adviser, Bushra Khalidi, also questioned how vulnerable people, such as the elderly, would be able to reach these sites, which are located some distance away from some population centres. When the UN had been delivering aid before Israel's humanitarian blockade, there were 400 distribution points spread across Gaza. Under the present GHF distribution system there currently are four known sites."By and large, its designed to dramatically increase the concentration of the population by having the only sources of food remaining in a very small number of places," said Chris Newton, a senior analyst at the brussels-based think tank Crisis Group."You either follow all their rules and probably survive in a small radius around these sites or you are very unlikely to survive."The presence of armed security and Israeli soldiers at or near the distribution sites has also alarmed experts, who said it undermined faith in aid operations."Distributing assistance in this kind of environment is extremely difficult. [It's] much more effectively done when you are trying to work with, and through, the people there… rather than at the point of a mercenary's gun," said Prof Stuart Gordon at the London School of Economics.A GHF spokesperson said: "Our ability - and willingness - to act under pressure is exactly why GHF remains one of the only organisations still capable of delivering critical food aid to Gaza today." Images and videos taken by eyewitnesses and the Israeli military showed the GHF boxes appeared limited to canned food, pasta, rice, cooking oil and some biscuits and lentils."Humanitarian aid is not just a food box that you slap humanitarian on and you call it humanitarian aid," Ms Khalidi supplies being given to families should be accompanied by medical support, hygiene and water purification kits, said Prof Gordon.A 14-page document from GHF, seen by the BBC, promised to hand out water and hygiene kits at the sites. On Friday, only one of the four GHF sites was distributing aid. It opened for less than an hour after which GHF announced on Facebook that it had closed because all its supplies had been "fully distributed".When asked by BBC Verify why only a single site was operational and why its boxes ran out so quickly, a GHF spokesperson said supply "will vary day by day"."Good news is we have provided two million meals in four days and will be ramping up in the coming days and weeks," the spokesman many are still returning from distribution sites without boxes for their families."I am empty-handed like God created me," said Hani Abed outside the centre near Netzarim on Thursday."I came empty-handed and I left empty-handed."Additional reporting and verification by Emma Pengelly, Rudabah Abbass, Alex Murray, Thomas Spencer, Benedict Garman and Richard Irvine-Brown. What do you want BBC Verify to investigate?
Sky News
5 hours ago
- Sky News
Last hospital in northern Gaza out of service after evacuation
The last working hospital in northern Gaza is no longer functional according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) - a day after staff reported Israeli troops had surrounded the site. The WHO said Al-Awda Hospital went out of service on Thursday, and patients and health workers evacuated the same evening for fear of their safety. It said that the hospital's closure is "severing a critical lifeline for the people" in northern Gaza, and pleaded "for the hospital's protection and staff and patients' safety". Israeli authorities issued evacuation orders last week for large parts of northern Gaza ahead of offensives against Hamas, although the army did not order the hospital itself to evacuate. Dr Rami al Ashrafi told the Associated Press on Thursday that Al-Awda Hospital had been encircled by Israeli troops and had come under fire in recent days. 0:21 Gaza situation 'worst since war began' - UN It comes as the United Nations said on Friday that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is the worst since the war between Israel and Hamas began in October 2023 - despite a resumption in aid deliveries. Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York that while "any aid that gets into the hands of people who need it is good," the deliveries have so far had "very, very little impact". He added: "The catastrophic situation in Gaza is the worst since the war began." The UN and other international aid groups have refused to work with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) - supported by Israel and the US - as they claim it is not neutral and forces the displacement of Palestinians by its distribution of aid. 0:32 As of Friday, GHF said that it has managed to distribute more than 2.1 million meals. Israel's UN ambassador Danny Danon said this week it would allow aid deliveries from both GHF and the UN's operations. Meanwhile, Hamas said it was still reviewing a US-proposed ceasefire a day after the White House said Israel accepted the offer. US President Donald Trump said in Washington that both sides were "very close to an agreement on Gaza, and we'll let you know about it during the day or maybe tomorrow". The proposal reportedly calls for a 60-day pause in fighting, and the release of nine living hostages and half of the known hostages who have died, over the course of a week. Israel and Hamas would then continue talks to bring the remaining hostages home, but Israel would retain the right to resume military action in Gaza if talks were to break down. According to Reuters, some 28 Israeli hostages - alive and dead - would be returned in the first week of the ceasefire, in exchange for 125 Palestinian prisoners sentenced for life and the remains of 180 dead.
Reuters
7 hours ago
- Reuters
Conditions in Gaza are catastrophic despite renewed aid, UN says
UNITED NATIONS, May 30 (Reuters) - The situation in Gaza is the worst since the war between Israel and Hamas militants began 19-months ago, the United Nations said on Friday, despite a resumption of limited aid deliveries in the Palestinian enclave where famine looms. Under growing global pressure, Israel ended an 11-week long blockade on Gaza 12 days ago, allowing limited U.N.-led operations to resume. Then on Monday, a controversial new avenue for aid distribution was also launched - the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, backed by the United States and Israel. "Any aid that gets into the hands of people who need it is good," U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York. But, he added, the aid deliveries so far overall have had "very, very little impact." "The catastrophic situation in Gaza is the worst since the war began," he said. The U.N. and international aid groups have refused to work with the GHF because they say it is not neutral and has a distribution model that forces the displacement of Palestinians. Israel ultimately wants the U.N. to work through the GHF, which is using private U.S. security and logistics companies to transport aid into Gaza for distribution by civilian teams at so-called secure distribution sites. However, Israel will allow aid deliveries "for the immediate future" via both the U.N. and the GHF operations, Israel's U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon said this week. GHF said on Friday that it has so far managed to distribute more than 2.1 million meals. Israel has long accused Hamas of stealing aid, which the group denies. The war in Gaza has raged since 2023, when Hamas militants killed 1,200 people in Israel and took some 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies, and Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. The U.N. says that in the past 12 days it has only managed to transport some 200 truckloads of aid into Gaza, hindered by insecurity and Israeli access restrictions. It was not immediately clear how much of that aid reached those in need. It said some trucks and a World Food Programme warehouse have also been looted by desperate, hungry people. U.N. officials have also criticized Israeli limitations on what kind of aid they can provide. "Israeli authorities have not allowed us to bring in a single ready-to-eat meal. The only food permitted has been flour for bakeries. Even if allowed in unlimited quantities, which it hasn't been, it wouldn't amount to a complete diet for anyone," said Eri Kaneko, U.N. humanitarian affairs spokesperson. Some of recipients of GHF aid said the packages include some rice, flour, canned beans, pasta, olive oil, biscuits and sugar. Under a complex process, Israel inspects and clears aid shipments, which are then transported to the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom crossing. There the aid is offloaded and then reloaded on to other trucks for transport to warehouses in Gaza. Several hundred more truckloads of aid currently await U.N. collection from the Palestinian side of Kerem Shalom. "More aid would actually get to the people if you would collect the aid waiting for you by the crossings," COGAT, the Israeli military aid coordination agency, said to the U.N. in a posting on X on Friday. However, the U.N. said that on Tuesday the Israeli military denied all its requests to access Kerem Shalom to pick up the aid. And on Thursday, when 65 trucks of aid managed to leave the crossing, all but five turned back due to intense fighting. Five trucks of medical aid managed to reach the warehouses of a field hospital, but "a group of armed individuals stormed the warehouses... looting large quantities of medical equipment, supplies, medicines and nutritional supplements that was intended for malnourished children," Dujarric said. Israel says it has been facilitating all aid deliveries. COGAT said this week that since the war 1.8 million tonnes of aid, including 1.3 million tonnes of food, had reached Gaza. A U.S. proposal for a 60-day ceasefire in the conflict - accepted by Israel and currently being considered by Hamas - would see humanitarian aid delivered by the United Nations, the Red Crescent and other agreed channels. During a two-month ceasefire, which ended when Israel resumed its military operation in March, the U.N. said it got 600-700 trucks of aid a day into Gaza. It has stressed then when people know there is a steady flow of aid, the looting subsides. "To prevent chaos, aid must flow in steadily," Corinne Fleischer, the U.N. World Food Programme's Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe director, posted on X on Thursday. "When people know food is coming, desperation turns to calm."
