Aid distribution centres in Gaza are temporarily closed today as Israel’s military issued a stark warning designating the roads leading to these sites as “combat zones.” The closure is part of an effort to “update, reorganize, and improve the efficiency” of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s (GHF) aid operations, a controversial initiative backed by both the United States and Israel. This decision follows reports of deadly clashes near these distribution points, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian crisis in the enclave.
At least 27 Palestinians were reported killed by Israeli fire on Tuesday, with the Hamas-run Civil Defence Agency attributing the deaths to Israeli military strikes near an aid distribution centre. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) clarified that the gunfire came after troops identified individuals moving “deviating from designated access routes.” This marks the third deadly incident in just as many days along these routes, sparking growing criticism of the new aid distribution system.
Aid Disruption and Criticism of the GHF System
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which launched last week, aims to replace the UN’s long-established aid network, following Israel’s repeated claims that UN deliveries were hijacked by Hamas. Under this new system, aid is distributed from a limited number of centres located in areas under Israeli military control, and the process has been criticised for its inefficiency and danger to civilians.
In a statement, GHF mentioned it was “improving organization” and working on enhancing safety measures, including guiding foot traffic and providing better directions to civilians. However, James Elder from UNICEF has sharply criticised the system, accusing it of being insufficient to meet Gaza’s desperate needs. He described seeing young boys in tears as they showed signs of severe malnutrition.
“Instead of the 500-600 trucks of aid Gaza should be receiving daily, we are seeing just 500-600 boxes reaching individuals,” Elder said, highlighting the discrepancy between the needs of the population and the level of aid provided.
Escalating Violence and Humanitarian Impact
As aid distribution falters, the situation in Gaza continues to worsen. Medics report that an Israeli airstrike targeted a school in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, killing at least eight people, including two children, and injuring more than 20 others. The school was sheltering displaced residents who had fled areas affected by the ongoing violence.
According to local journalists, the school had recently received evacuees from the al-Amal neighbourhood in central Khan Younis, which had been heavily impacted by Israeli aerial bombardments. As the situation deteriorates, international organisations and local health officials are raising alarms about the growing number of casualties and the lack of sufficient medical supplies.
International Response and Calls for Ceasefire
Amidst the ongoing conflict, the UN Security Council is set to vote on a resolution later today calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza. This resolution also demands unrestricted humanitarian access and the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas.
The UN’s position is clear: without a significant shift in the aid distribution process, the risk of widespread famine in Gaza remains alarmingly high. The World Food Programme has reported that over two million people in Gaza are facing “catastrophic” levels of food insecurity, with little to no improvement in sight.
The Road Ahead: A Continuing Crisis
While the new US and Israel-backed aid system has been met with resistance and growing criticism, Israel maintains that it is necessary to prevent Hamas from exploiting aid deliveries for military purposes. However, analysts suggest that this shift in aid distribution is part of a broader Israeli strategy to exert greater control over Gaza, creating further challenges for the region’s already vulnerable population.
With food, medical supplies, and clean water in short supply, the international community remains divided on how to address the escalating crisis. As calls for a ceasefire and independent investigations into the killings near aid sites intensify, the question remains: how long can the people of Gaza endure before a solution is reached?