A humanitarian crisis unfolded in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, as desperate Palestinians overwhelmed an aid distribution center operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, forcing American security contractors to evacuate the premises. The incident occurred during the organization’s first attempt to distribute food aid under a new system that restricts humanitarian deliveries to specific guarded hubs.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed firing warning shots outside the compound after crowds surged into the area, seizing boxes of food. While the military acknowledged the presence of an Israeli Air Force helicopter over the sea during the incident, they denied reports of aerial fire or direct shots toward the distribution center.
The chaotic scene comes amid United Nations warnings that
approximately 500,000 Gazans face famine conditions. UN
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s office responded to the incident through spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, who described the footage as “heartbreaking” and emphasized the existence of a “detailed, principled, operationally sound plan” for aid distribution supported by Member States.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which has faced criticism for lacking humanitarian experience and transparency, suffered another setback when its CEO, Jake Wood, resigned Sunday night. Wood cited concerns about the organization’s inability to operate independently as the reason for his departure.
Local journalist Mohammed Abu Armana has criticized the foundation, describing it as a political instrument rather than a genuine relief organization. He noted that Israel continues to block established aid agencies like UNRWA and the World Food Programme from conducting organized humanitarian operations in Gaza.
The security firm responsible for overseeing the distribution, Safe Reach Solutions (SRS), had recently launched a recruitment campaign on LinkedIn for “Humanitarian Liaison Officers.” The company’s leadership reportedly maintains close ties with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In response to the incident, the IDF issued a statement on social media criticizing the United Nations, claiming “The UN still refuses to do its job.” This new aid distribution system, involving private contractors, has already drawn international criticism, and the recent chaos is likely to intensify scrutiny of the operation.
The incident represents a significant setback for the Israeli-approved plan to manage aid distribution through private security contractors, following the controversial failure of President Biden’s floating pier initiative for Gaza aid delivery. The scene of fleeing American contractors and desperate Palestinians rushing for food supplies has sparked renewed debate about the effectiveness of current humanitarian aid strategies in the region.
The distribution site’s breakdown highlights the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the challenges faced by new aid delivery systems. While no casualties were reported during the incident, the military confirmed that control was eventually restored, and food distribution operations are expected to resume as planned.
The event underscores the complex challenges of delivering
humanitarian assistance in conflict zones and raises questions about the effectiveness of private security firms in managing aid
distribution to populations facing severe food insecurity. The resignation of the foundation’s CEO and the dramatic scenes of chaos at the distribution site have intensified calls for a more robust and established humanitarian response system in Gaza.