Chaos engulfed Gaza’s newly implemented aid distribution centers on Monday, following weekend reports alleging that Hamas threatened personnel involved in delivering food supplies through an Israeli-supported initiative.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, established to circumvent the traditional aid channels, reported on Saturday that some of its staff faced intimidation from Hamas, the militant group governing the Gaza Strip and responsible for the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
Hamas refuted these accusations on Monday, criticizing the aid organization for lacking impartiality.
Violence near the aid distribution sites has resulted in nearly 50 deaths and approximately 300 injuries since the foundation began operations in late May. The Israeli military confirmed it had opened fire near individuals who deviated from established access routes and ignored verbal warnings. Gaza health officials report that dozens of Palestinians have died attempting to access aid.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has devastated large urban areas in Gaza, displacing almost all of the enclave’s two million residents at least once. Since March, Israel imposed a blockade cutting off food, fuel, and essential supplies to Gaza as leverage against Hamas, a blockade that lasted nearly 80 days before easing in mid-May. Aid organizations and some Israeli military personnel have warned that these restrictions have pushed Gaza’s population to the brink of starvation.
Israel has accused Hamas of diverting aid under the previous United Nations-managed distribution system, which operated across hundreds of sites. However, the United Nations has stated there is no evidence to support claims that militants systematically redirected humanitarian assistance.
Last month, Israel permitted limited aid deliveries into Gaza, predominantly facilitated through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. This system operates four distribution centers staffed by private American security contractors in coordination with the Israeli military. The United Nations and other aid groups have boycotted this framework, arguing that aid is being used as a component of Israel’s military strategy.
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