A U.S.-backed aid group in Gaza opened a third distribution site on Thursday as thousands of Palestinians, driven by desperation, crowded around fences to get desperately needed food amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a private group supported by the United States and approved by Israel, said it plans to open more sites in the coming weeks. The group said it has distributed more than 1.8 million meals so far. However, chaotic scenes marked the start of operations this week, with thousands rushing the first two sites and overwhelming security contractors.
International pressure has mounted on Israel to let more food in and stop the fighting in Gaza, which is in its 11th week. Hamas said it was reviewing new proposals from the U.S. to end the conflict.
Wessam Khader, a 25-year-old father in Rafah, described walking long distances and waiting in huge crowds each day since Tuesday, only managing to get a small food package on the first day. “My son wakes every day asking for something to eat and I can’t give him,” he said. He added that there was no sign of any screening process at the site, despite Israeli promises to check for Hamas ties.
Local media reported that even as aid trickled in, Israeli airstrikes continued. At least 45 people were killed Thursday, including 23 in Bureij camp in central Gaza, according to Palestinian medical officials. Israel said it targeted weapons dumps, sniper positions and tunnels. Hamas reported that several police were killed trying to stop looters.
Meanwhile, U.N. officials said the amount of aid entering Gaza is still far below what’s needed to stave off famine for the enclave’s more than 2 million residents. Sigrid Kaag, the U.N. Middle East envoy, said the current aid levels were like “a lifeboat after the ship has sunk.”
The Gaza blockade began in early March, with Israel accusing Hamas of stealing supplies and using them to fortify its grip on Gaza. Hamas denies the allegations.
The GHF’s distribution sites remain out of reach for many in northern Gaza, where trucks from the U.N. and other groups cannot enter. “We see videos about the aid, but no trucks come here,” said Ghada Zaki, a mother of seven in Gaza City.
The war began on Oct. 7, 2023, after Hamas-led fighters attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel’s offensive has since killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, and devastated the coastal enclave.