Gaza’s Hunger Crisis Deepens As New Aid Program Sparks Chaos And Bloodshed
A new aid program designed to get desperately needed food into the hands of starving Palestinians in Gaza is only days old—but it’s already marred by tragedy and controversy.
Dozens of Palestinians have been killed while trying to access food provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a group backed by Israel and the US. GHF was created to replace the United Nations-led distribution system that had long delivered aid to Gaza, hoping to address a hunger crisis exacerbated by a months-long Israeli blockade.
Over the past week, tens of thousands of Palestinians have crowded GHF distribution points, hoping to secure one of the limited food packages before supplies ran out. Palestinian authorities and eyewitnesses accused Israeli forces of shooting dozens of civilians near one of these aid sites in Rafah on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.
On Monday and Tuesday, the Israeli military said it fired “warning shots” at what it described as “suspects” approaching a military position. On Sunday, the military insisted it did not fire at civilians near the aid site itself, though an Israeli source acknowledged troops fired at individuals roughly a kilometer away.
In response to the violence, GHF announced it would close its distribution sites on Wednesday for logistical preparations and for the Israeli military to secure access routes. The closure was expected to last just one day.
As international condemnation mounts, here’s a closer look at the crisis in Gaza—and the controversial new aid program fueling tensions.
A Hunger Crisis Years in the Making
Israel halted all humanitarian aid into Gaza in early March, aiming to pressure Hamas into accepting a new ceasefire deal and releasing hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. For 11 weeks, no supplies entered the territory, pushing Gaza’s 2.1 million residents deeper into starvation. By late April, a UN-backed report warned that one in five Gazans faced starvation and that famine loomed.
Under mounting international pressure, Israel eased the blockade slightly two weeks ago, allowing small amounts of aid through UN channels and the new GHF program. Yet Palestinian officials and aid groups say the trickle of supplies falls far short of what’s needed.
Chaos erupted on GHF’s first delivery day in southern Gaza last Tuesday. Thousands of Palestinians swarmed the site, while Israeli troops fired warning shots into the air, and US contractors overseeing the operation briefly withdrew.
Gaza’s food crisis didn’t start with the recent blockade. Even before the October 2023 attack, Israel and Egypt maintained a partial blockade that left 63% of the population food insecure, according to the UN.
Who is GHF—and Why the Controversy?
GHF is a private, non-profit organization created with Israeli and US support to take over aid delivery, amid Israeli accusations that Hamas was siphoning off humanitarian supplies. Relying on private military contractors for security, GHF aims to replace the traditional UN-led model.
On Tuesday, GHF doubled down, insisting its mission is “full-steam ahead” and claiming it has delivered millions of pre-packaged meals. “In an environment as complex and volatile as Gaza, safe, direct, and large-scale aid delivery is unprecedented,” it said in a statement.
But GHF has faced turmoil from the start. Its executive director, Jake Wood, resigned the day before operations began. The Boston Consulting Group also pulled its support. On Tuesday, GHF appointed evangelical Christian leader Rev. Johnnie Moore—known for his support of Donald Trump and controversial proposals for US control of Gaza—as its new director.
GHF’s four “Secure Distribution Sites” aim to serve about 1.2 million Palestinians—far fewer than the UN’s 400 aid points spread across Gaza. GHF coordinates with the Israeli military to establish “safe routes” for aid seekers, warning on Facebook that straying from these paths could be dangerous. But many Gazans may not know these details—and some routes bring them close to Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) positions.
Over the past three nights, the IDF admitted firing at people who had “left the designated routes,” sparking deadly encounters.
The UN warned that Israel’s military involvement near these sites could deter desperate Palestinians from seeking aid or expose them to attacks.
A Radical Shift—and Dire Consequences
Before GHF’s arrival, the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) and UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) were the main aid distributors. UNRWA also provided vital education and healthcare.
But Israel’s longstanding friction with the UN—and the shock of the October 7 attack—led Israel’s parliament to ban UNRWA from operating. Both Israel and the US have accused Hamas of diverting UN aid—charges Hamas denies. Humanitarian groups insist most food reaches civilians.
The UN refused to join the new GHF program, arguing it violates core humanitarian principles. Critics say GHF’s initial focus on southern and central Gaza risks facilitating Israel’s efforts to depopulate the north.
Although GHF claims it plans to expand to northern Gaza, no sites have yet opened there.
Bloodshed Near Aid Sites
The human toll has been staggering. Over the past three days, more than 60 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire near a GHF site in Rafah, according to Palestinian officials.
On Tuesday, nearly 30 were killed and dozens wounded, said the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The Israeli military claimed it fired at “suspects” who strayed from designated routes.
On Monday, three were killed and dozens injured while heading for aid. The IDF said it fired warning shots about a kilometer from the site.
On Sunday, Palestinian officials blamed Israeli gunfire for killing 31 people. The IDF initially denied shooting civilians at the aid site but later admitted firing at individuals a kilometer away.
GHF insists none of the gunfire occurred within its sites, referring questions to the IDF and pledging to keep civilians safe during distributions.
Outrage and Calls for Accountability
Global condemnation has been swift. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the deaths “appalling” and demanded an immediate, independent investigation and accountability.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk said Palestinians face “the grimmest of choices: die from starvation or risk being killed while trying to access meager food.” UNRWA’s head, Philippe Lazzarini, called the new aid model a “death trap,” warning that hungry civilians are dying in their search for food.
The EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas criticized GHF’s approach, rejecting any privatization of aid. Leaders from the UK, France, and Canada threatened “concrete action,” including targeted sanctions, unless Israel stops its military offensive and lifts aid restrictions.
In short, the Gaza aid program meant to alleviate starvation has instead deepened the humanitarian crisis, leaving civilians caught in a deadly struggle for survival.
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