Tank fire and gunshots reported as Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s second day of operations faces overwhelming demand.
Tank fire and gunshots were reported Tuesday near a newly opened food distribution center in southern Gaza, as thousands of desperate Palestinians overwhelmed the site run by the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
The chaotic scenes unfolded on the second day of the foundation’s operations, after weeks of Israeli blockade have left Gaza teetering on the edge of famine. Witnesses described hundreds of people tearing down fences around the aid center, forcing staff to retreat temporarily for safety.
A journalist from The Associated Press reported hearing Israeli tank and gunfire in the area as crowds surged toward the center on the outskirts of Rafah. Smoke rose into the air after the impact of a tank round, though most of the crowd eventually withdrew, many without receiving aid.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, recently appointed by Israel to manage food distribution in the enclave, said in a statement that staff followed established safety protocols by pulling back when the crowd became unmanageable. Operations later resumed, and by nightfall, the organization reported having delivered 8,000 food boxes — the equivalent of about 462,000 meals. Packages included rice, flour, canned legumes, pasta, olive oil, biscuits, and sugar.
A GHF spokesman, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the AP that no gunfire came from their side, adding that the group’s top priority is to “prevent loss of life — which is exactly what happened.”
The center, guarded by private armed contractors, is located near Israeli military positions along the Morag corridor, a strip separating Rafah from the rest of Gaza.
Israel, which has been at war with Hamas since the militant group’s October 2023 takeover of Gaza, imposed a full blockade in March, accusing Hamas of diverting humanitarian supplies — an accusation the group has denied.
United Nations agencies and humanitarian groups have expressed concern over the militarization of aid distribution, warning of the risk of violent confrontations between Israeli forces and desperate civilians.
This month, thousands of men, women, and children have trekked for miles across military-controlled zones in hopes of reaching the new aid centers. GHF has set up four distribution hubs, two of which opened this week in the Rafah area.
The United Nations and other aid groups have criticized Israel’s decision to entrust the distribution of food to GHF, raising concerns about restricted access and safety. On Tuesday, the Israeli military did not comment on the reported gunfire near the center.
The incident adds to a mounting humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where residents are increasingly risking their lives to secure basic necessities. As aid operations continue, the question remains whether the system can withstand the crushing demand — and the dangers — facing those on both sides of the barricades.
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