At least 47 Palestinians were wounded, most by gunfire, after crowds surged through a newly established aid distribution hub in southern Gaza, according to the United Nations. The violent incident took place outside Rafah, where desperation for food continues to mount under the pressure of a near-total Israeli blockade.
Ajith Sunghay, head of the UN Human Rights Office for the Palestinian territories, told reporters in Geneva that it appeared Israeli military fire was responsible for most of the injuries sustained during the chaos.
The aid center, created by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation—an Israeli and U.S.-backed initiative—was overrun by a massive crowd on Tuesday. An Associated Press journalist on the scene reported that the crowd broke through fencing before Israeli tanks opened fire and a military helicopter deployed flares overhead.
The center had been launched only a day earlier, but its legitimacy and effectiveness have already come under sharp criticism. The UN and multiple humanitarian organizations have rejected the new distribution model, warning that it is inadequate for the 2.3 million people in Gaza and accusing Israel of using food access as a tool of control.
Humanitarian groups also raised alarms about the increased likelihood of violent confrontations between aid-seeking civilians and Israeli forces, especially under the current distribution system.
Gaza remains on the brink of famine after nearly three months of restricted access to food, water, and essential supplies. Aid organizations describe the situation as catastrophic, with civilians bearing the brunt of ongoing military and political maneuvers.