Desperate Struggle for Food in Gaza
In the early morning light, Shehada Hijazi awoke with hope. He and many others in Gaza were eager to get their hands on a food package from a new distribution site set up by a foundation supported by the U.S. and Israel. The need for basic resources was palpable, as so many families were struggling to put food on the table.
However, Hijazi’s journey to the far southern part of Gaza turned chaotic. What was supposed to be a lifeline quickly transformed into a scene of desperation. Many people pushed and shoved for hours outside the site, fenced in and controlled by military forces. When the doors finally opened, the crowd surged forward, rushing towards stacks of food boxes.
Hijazi described the ensuing moments as "15 minutes of terror." Reports indicate that Israeli soldiers fired shots to manage the crowd, resulting in injuries. In the chaos, Hijazi’s 23-year-old cousin was struck by a bullet. Realizing their chances of getting food were slim, they made a hasty retreat to safety.
“The gunfire was intense… the sand was flying around us,” Hijazi recounted, shaken by the experience.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to requests for clarification on the events at the distribution center. They acknowledged, however, that there had been gunfire near another distribution site in central Gaza on the same day.
Desperate for food for his extended family, which has swelled to around 200 people living together in a displacement camp, Hijazi stated, “Hunger has come home. I can’t just sit back and wait for my family to starve.”
Chaos at Food Distribution Sites
This scenario mirrors the grim reality faced by countless Palestinians suffering from hunger and malnutrition due to a near three-month blockade that has hindered essential supplies from entering Gaza. While Israel has allowed some humanitarian aid through, the numbers remain drastically low compared to past levels. Thousands of trucks have entered, but many feel this assistance is insufficient to meet the needs of the population.
Israel has suggested that the foundation overseeing the distribution aims to replace the UN’s role in distributing food to Gaza’s 2 million residents, despite opposition from many humanitarian organizations. The first week of operations has been mired in disorder, with reports of soldiers firing on crowds at the distribution sites. Tragically, at least six individuals have lost their lives and over 50 have sustained injuries.
Eyewitness accounts reveal that large crowds overwhelmed distribution facilities, often tearing down fences to get to the food supplies, which were running out quickly. Video footage has surfaced showing smoke bombs and Israeli tanks amidst a backdrop of gunfire, further highlighting the tense environment.
Israel asserts that these measures are necessary to keep supplies from being diverted by Hamas, despite a lack of concrete evidence supporting systemic diversion. Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations argue that UN systems already effectively prevent significant diversion of aid.
Witnesses have noted the absence of identification checks, leading some individuals to take advantage of the situation and carry away multiple boxes of food. This has raised concerns that organized groups might be selling the supplies on the black market at exorbitant prices.
Jehazai voiced his frustration, stating, “This farce and humiliation are intentional.”
A staff member working for the foundation, who spoke anonymously for safety reasons, mentioned that the system is evolving. The focus is currently on safely distributing as much aid as possible. Once the situation becomes more stable, there would be more emphasis on managing who receives help.
The foundation announced that it had distributed boxes capable of providing over 2 million meals, including essentials like sugar, lentils, pasta, and rice. “This is just the beginning,” said John Acree, the interim CEO. “We are committed to providing food safely and effectively to a large population in need.”
Challenges in Aid Distribution
However, not everyone is on board with this new distribution method. The UN and other aid groups have declined participation, arguing that the approach undermines humanitarian principles. Critics assert that it places the aid under Israeli control and does not adequately meet the community’s vast needs.
While chaotic scenes have been prevalent at the foundation’s food centers, similar instances are rarely reported at UN distribution sites, where organized efforts often mitigate crowding through coupon systems.
Sometimes, heightened tension caused by low aid levels has resulted in desperate individuals storming warehouses, which typically happens during severe supply shortages due to military restrictions. Fortunately, when the flow of aid is consistent, the instances of violence and chaos significantly diminish.
Ruth James, Oxfam’s humanitarian coordinator, emphasized the importance of proper planning and clear communication in managing large crowds, preventing the most vulnerable from being overlooked.
Despite the overwhelming circumstances, Hijazi plans to try again for assistance on Sunday. He remarked, “People are ready to do whatever it takes to provide for their families. This new system moves people like chess pieces. It’s an unimaginable tragedy.”
