At least 61 Palestinians were killed over three consecutive days this week in Rafah, Gaza, near a food distribution site operated by the Israeli-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. The deadly incidents raise serious concerns about the effectiveness and safety of the new food delivery system that replaced UN-led aid operations.
The first incident occurred on Sunday, when Israeli forces opened fire near the Al-Alam roundabout, about one kilometer from the GHF distribution site. Reports from Gaza’s civil defense indicated that 31 people were killed and 176 wounded. On Monday, Israeli fire again struck civilians in the same area, killing three and injuring dozens more. Tuesday saw another deadly escalation, with 27 people killed, including at least three children.
Witnesses said the shootings happened as large crowds gathered in the early morning hours, hoping to secure food before supplies ran out. Some described the fire as indiscriminate, with both helicopters and drones involved. Israel claimed its troops fired warning shots at individuals who did not follow designated access routes, but many aid workers argue the suggested routes are neither safe nor practical.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which operates outside UN oversight and uses private armed contractors, stated there were no casualties during its operations. However, the repeated gunfire near its center and the closure of all its sites on Wednesday for reorganization suggest deep flaws in the current system.
Local health officials and aid groups say the chaotic food distribution model favors younger, able-bodied men and excludes women, children, the elderly, and those with disabilities. Food supplies reportedly run out early each day, with long journeys and high costs making access even harder. In northern Gaza, reaching the center can take several hours on foot or by donkey cart.
The growing desperation is fueled by widespread hunger. UNICEF reports that nearly the entire population of Gaza faces severe food insecurity. One in five people is on the brink of starvation. Prices for basic items have skyrocketed, with sugar selling for $18 per 250g and flour costing up to $16 per kilo. Only those with cash can afford to buy food, and commission fees make prices even higher.
The Israeli military announced that areas around the food sites will be treated as combat zones during the closure. Meanwhile, Palestinian communities are left with few options—either risk their lives for food or face starvation in a region already devastated by war, displacement, and the collapse of essential services.
