Driven by hunger and desperation, Palestinians rushed to obtain a single box of food after nearly three months without aid entering Gaza. News had spread that an Israeli-backed distribution center was opening in Rafah.
Israel had pledged to implement an orderly distribution system aimed at improving upon the United Nations’ efforts to deliver critical food supplies to Gaza’s population. However, from the outset, the operation encountered serious problems.
On Saturday night, 30-year-old Mohammed Abdulal traveled 18 miles to join thousands of others pushing forward aggressively toward the aid site. Israeli forces established a broad perimeter around the area, which was monitored by U.S. private security contractors.
Suddenly, gunfire erupted, causing people to scatter in panic while terrified cries filled the night air. Abdulal was struck by a bullet that tore through his face, leaving him writhing in agony.
“I had only taken two steps when a bullet hit my right cheek and neck,” he recalled. “I cried out, ‘People, I’m wounded. Please help me.’”
The aid rollout, coordinated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and conceived in Israel with U.S. endorsement, was intended to facilitate aid delivery to Palestinians while preventing supplies from reaching Hamas.
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