Thousands Crowd Gaza Aid Sites as New U.S.-Israeli Humanitarian Effort Sparks Chaos
On Tuesday, the very first day that the new U.S.-Israeli Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) started distributing aid in Gaza, thousands of Palestinians swarmed two food distribution sites in Rafah, located in southern Gaza. What was meant to be a smooth operation quickly spiraled into chaos — with warning shots fired and staff forced to evacuate for their safety, according to ABC News.
This new initiative is unusual because it bypasses the traditional United Nations and well-established aid organizations. Instead, it relies on armed private contractors to deliver food and supplies — a controversial move designed to prevent alleged theft and resale of aid by Hamas, which Israel claims uses those funds to support its military operations. But many experts and international agencies strongly oppose this new mechanism.
The Scene on the Ground: Chaos and Crowds
Videos and reports from the day showed a dramatic and disorderly scene. Crowds of hungry Gazans rushed through fences, some torn down by the sheer force of the surge. People climbed over earth berms and pushed forward as the distribution sites became overwhelmed, according to the BBC. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that its troops had to fire warning shots to try and control the situation.
Despite the initial confusion, the IDF later stated that order had been restored, and food distribution operations would continue as planned. Still, the chaotic start raised many questions about the viability and safety of the new system.
What’s the GHF’s Plan?
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation announced it had started handing out food after trucks unloaded supplies at secure hubs inside Gaza. But specifics were scarce — the foundation didn’t disclose how much food was being distributed or exactly where.
Here’s the kicker: the foundation promised more aid deliveries in the days ahead, saying the flow of supplies would increase steadily. Yet, photos and videos from the first day only showed a small handful of men carrying boxes away from the sites — far from the mass distribution that would seem necessary for a population in crisis.
The UN and Established Aid Agencies Push Back
The United Nations and other traditional humanitarian groups are not on board with this approach. They argue that bypassing the established channels violates humanitarian principles and “weaponizes” aid, turning it into a political tool rather than a purely humanitarian effort.
To put it bluntly: these organizations say that humanitarian aid should remain neutral, impartial, and independent — not entangled in military or political conflicts. The GHF’s use of armed private contractors and its attempt to circumvent the UN’s mechanisms run counter to these ideals.
Meanwhile, the IDF posted on X (formerly Twitter) that around 400 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid were waiting in Gaza, blaming the UN for refusing to “do its job.” The IDF also urged people not to fall for “misinformation,” insisting that security and logistics protocols have been adjusted to prevent chaos.
Leadership Shakeup Raises More Questions
The controversy deepened when GHF’s Chief Operating Officer David Burke resigned just a day after Jake Wood, the organization’s executive director and a former U.S. Marine, stepped down. Both departures raised eyebrows, with Burke stating that the program failed to meet basic humanitarian standards of “humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence.”
The GHF board expressed disappointment over Wood’s sudden exit just two months into the role but insisted they would continue pushing forward. Their ambitious goal is to reach more than one million people in Gaza by Sunday — a huge undertaking given the fraught circumstances.
In the meantime, John Acree, a former USAID official, has stepped in as acting executive director.
Why the Rush Now?
This new aid delivery effort launched shortly after Israel lifted an 11-week blockade on Gaza — a blockade that had sparked intense global criticism amid dire warnings of famine in the enclave. The pressure was mounting internationally, with countries like Britain, France, and Canada threatening “concrete actions” to force Israel to allow humanitarian access.
But even as supplies start flowing again, the broader humanitarian community fears that this new system could create more problems than it solves.
The Bigger Humanitarian Concerns
Beyond the immediate logistical chaos, experts warn that this new approach may actually cause increased displacement and put thousands of vulnerable people at greater risk. Linking aid distribution to political or military goals sets a dangerous precedent — one that could make humanitarian relief a bargaining chip in conflicts worldwide.
Jan Egeland, General Secretary of the Norwegian Refugee Council, voiced strong criticism of the GHF scheme, describing it as “militarized, privatized, politicized,” and ultimately incompatible with the long-established humanitarian principle of neutrality.
He called for a return to the traditional, time-tested aid distribution methods developed by the UN and international agencies over decades — systems that, while imperfect, are designed to minimize harm and ensure aid reaches those who need it most.
Key Takeaways and What to Watch Next
-
Thousands of desperate Gazans rushed aid sites on day one of GHF’s mission, creating chaos and forcing IDF intervention.
-
GHF’s approach bypasses the UN and relies on armed contractors, sparking intense debate and opposition from international humanitarian groups.
-
Leaders of the new initiative resigned, citing concerns that the mission undermines core humanitarian values.
-
Despite the rocky start, GHF aims to provide aid to over 1 million people in Gaza by Sunday.
-
The UN and traditional agencies warn this politicized approach could worsen the crisis and create dangerous precedents globally.
-
International pressure forced Israel to lift an 11-week blockade, but the humanitarian landscape remains extremely complex and fragile.
Final Thoughts
The situation in Gaza remains tense and fluid. While the urgency to deliver food and supplies to those starving is undeniable, how that aid is delivered—and by whom—matters deeply. Humanitarian efforts must balance speed with safety, neutrality with accountability, and logistics with ethics.
This new U.S.-Israeli effort, while bold, faces major hurdles both on the ground and in the international arena. The next few days will reveal whether the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation can stabilize its operations and truly help the millions in desperate need — or whether this controversial approach will only add fuel to an already volatile situation.
Login