Gaza Food Aid Chaos: Stampede Leaves One Dead, Dozens Injured

Gaza Blockade: Chaos Erupts as Food Aid Distribution Sparks Stampede Rafah, Gaza – The long-awaited opening of two US-backed food distribution centers in the southern Gaza city of Rafah on Tuesday was marred by chaos as thousands of desperate Palestinians rushed to receive aid after an 11-week blockade. The scene was one of desperation, with people pushing and shoving to obtain food. One eyewitness, a man interviewed on camera, stated, "I'm going home again to hunger and death." The event resulted in one death and 47 injuries, according to the UN. The UN has criticized the method of distribution, calling for large-scale aid delivery directly to the people, accusing Israel of weaponizing aid to force displacement. Israel maintains the new system is necessary to prevent Hamas from looting aid trucks. Cindy McCain, head of the World Food Programme, disputes this claim. Eight new distribution centers are planned across Gaza, but the events in Rafah cast serious doubt on the plan's success. The video underscores the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and the urgent need for effective and safe aid delivery.