New aid distribution system in Gaza temporarily paused following confusion and fatalities

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) announced they are shutting down operations temporarily, following three days of mass-casualty events at distribution sites.

The U.S.- and Israel-backed organization employed to bypass Hamas by giving aid directly to the people of Gaza has decided to stop distribution for one day while they work to improve security measures and logistics for large crowds at the sites.

The foundation has been distributing aid from two sites in Rafah in the south of Gaza since May 26, and a third location beside the Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza. Over the course of nine days, they distributed more than 7 million meals, delivered in over 100,000 boxes.

The IDF is responsible for providing safe access routes to the sites and has committed to improving logistics to accommodate the high volume of people before operations begin on Thursday. A GHF spokesperson told the Times of Israel (TOI) that they are coordinating with the IDF to improve the safety of the aid operation both at the sites and in the surrounding areas.

In the first part of the week, Palestinians who had left the designated paths and approached IDF troops were fired at by soldiers, according to the TOI. Several individuals were killed and injured, although the figures Hamas provided have been contested by the Israeli military. Steps are being taken to clarify and improve the process to avoid further fatalities.

IDF Arabic-language Spokesperson Col. Avichay Adraee warned that travel to the sites would be prohibited temporarily, with those areas considered combat zones. 

Before the GHF operation, Israel blocked aid coming into the Gaza Strip over much of the past three months in order to exert pressure on Hamas. The terror group has repeatedly stolen aid and resold it as a means of generating funds and controlling the population throughout the war.

It was hoped that by providing aid directly to the people, Hamas could be circumvented and pushed towards hostage negotiations. However, the TOI reported that some IDF officials privately said the blockade has brought Gazans to the brink of starvation.

The UN and aid organizations have repeatedly expressed concern about the logistics of providing aid directly to Gaza’s population of two million people, many of whom must travel from northern Gaza through IDF lines to receive aid.

New distribution sites may be opened in northern Gaza, although the GHF has not yet given a timetable.