GAZA — The gates of Gaza’s new aid distribution centres stayed shut Wednesday, as Israel’s military declared the roads leading to them “combat zones” after a string of deadly incidents left dozens of Palestinians dead.
The closures come amid growing concerns over the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a new US- and Israeli-backed initiative that has replaced much of the UN-led aid infrastructure in the besieged enclave.
GHF said the shutdown was “temporary,” to allow for updates and improvements. But rights groups and aid agencies argue the move is emblematic of deeper failures in the new system and that civilians are paying the price.
“We’re talking about children walking 15 to 20 kilometres to reach aid,” said James Elder, a spokesperson for UNICEF, speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. “Teenage boys were crying at my car window, showing me their ribs.”
Elder said trusted aid groups were still being blocked from distributing relief. “Instead of 500 to 600 aid trucks a day, it’s now more like 500 to 600 boxes,” he added. “This is a pretense of aid.”
Third Deadly Incident in Days
Tensions escalated Tuesday when at least 27 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire near a GHF distribution site in Rafah, according to the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency. Witnesses said Israeli tanks and drones opened fire as crowds gathered near the al-Alam roundabout.
Dr. Atef al-Hout, director of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, described the influx of casualties. “Many arrived with gunshot wounds,” he said. “It was chaos.”
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed its troops had opened fire, saying they identified suspects who “deviated from the designated access routes.” The military did not directly address the reported death toll.
Tuesday’s incident marked the third time in as many days that civilians were killed on their way to GHF sites. On Sunday, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said 31 people were killed and nearly 200 injured in a similar episode, which Israel denied responsibility for.
Strike on School Shelter
Elsewhere in southern Gaza, at least eight people were killed in an Israeli airstrike that hit a school sheltering displaced families in Khan Younis, medics said. The school had recently taken in hundreds of people fleeing Israeli evacuation orders in the al-Amal district.
Two tents within the compound were struck, eyewitnesses said. Among the dead were two children. Over 20 others were injured.
The BBC, like other foreign media, has been barred from reporting directly inside Gaza, making independent verification of events difficult.
Aid Network Under Scrutiny
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation was launched with support from the US and Israeli governments. Its creation followed claims from Israel that UN agencies had allowed Hamas to siphon off aid allegations the UN denies.
Under GHF’s model, Gazans must travel to a limited number of collection points in Israeli-controlled zones, many of them far from population centres and surrounded by military activity. Armed American contractors reportedly guard the sites.
Footage from last week showed chaotic scenes at a newly opened centre: civilians climbing over barriers, gunfire in the background, and crowds fleeing in panic.
In a statement Wednesday, GHF said it was “enhancing safety protocols” and working with the Israeli military to “guide foot traffic” and prevent “confusion or escalation.”
“Our top priority remains ensuring the safety and dignity of civilians receiving aid,” the group said.
UN Security Council Set to Vote
Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council is due to vote Wednesday on a new resolution calling for an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire” in Gaza. The resolution also demands the release of all hostages held by Hamas.
It marks the Council’s first vote on the conflict since November, when a similar proposal was blocked by the United States. The vote is expected at 21:00 BST.
As diplomats debate in New York and aid efforts falter on the ground, one thing remains clear in Gaza: for the hungry and displaced, time is running out.
“What people need now is not just boxes they need safety, access, and dignity,” said Elder. “That’s not what’s happening.”
