Chaos at Gaza Aid Center as Thousands Storm Facility - UN, NGOs Criticize Israeli Aid Distribution

Tens of thousands of displaced Gazans stormed a humanitarian aid facility in the Muassi area on Tuesday morning, overwhelming the center and taking all available food supplies. The facility, established by Israel in collaboration with a private American organization, was part of a controversial new aid distribution plan aimed at consolidating humanitarian operations in southern Gaza.

According to Arab media reports, IDF soldiers opened fire on the crowd to disperse them and evacuate American workers. However, the IDF denied the reports, claiming the gunfire came from outside the compound, not from soldiers guarding the facility.

Warnings Ignored: Aid Plan Criticized by UN, Humanitarian Groups

The incident adds fuel to ongoing criticism from international humanitarian agencies that have warned for weeks that the centralized aid distribution model would fail. A sharply worded UN OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) document warned that the plan would "significantly reduce current humanitarian operations" in Gaza, where approximately 400 smaller distribution points had previously served the population more effectively.

The document noted that reducing these points would force civilians — including women, the elderly, and the wounded — to walk long distances while carrying loads of up to 20 kg to access aid. It also asserted that the current Israeli-led plan only aims to serve less than half of Gaza's population.

Violation of Humanitarian Norms, Say Experts

Critics argue the Israeli distribution plan violates core humanitarian principles — particularly the need for aid to be neutral, needs-based, and independent of military operations. Aid groups also emphasize that distribution must be localized and community-sensitive.

In protest, Tom Wood, founder of the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF) and the Israeli-American entity managing the aid plan, resigned last week. His resignation followed mounting international pressure and controversy, including an aborted partnership with Swiss authorities, who had considered opening an investigation into the fund.

Two other prominent humanitarian figures — David Beasley and Nate Mock, both former directors of the World Food Program — also severed ties with GHF.

Allegations of Political Motives and Financial Opacity

The Israeli NGO Gisha, which advocates for Palestinian freedom of movement, issued a scathing report earlier this month, accusing the aid plan of being part of a broader Israeli strategy to "consolidate control over Gaza and manipulate humanitarian aid for military and political purposes." The group labeled the policy a violation of international law and warned it may constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity.

Financial transparency around the aid plan remains murky. Opposition leader Yair Lapid claimed that Israel’s Ministry of Finance is funding the program, while Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman alleged on Channel 12 that Mossad funds were used to establish the operation. The total cost of the aid effort is estimated at up to half a billion shekels.

UN Condemns Israeli Policy as Forcing Further Displacement

Tom Fletcher, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, expressed deep frustration over Israel's insistence on reducing aid access points. Speaking to the UN Security Council, he warned that the current approach "forces further displacement" and “turns hunger into a bargaining chip.”

“This creates an unacceptable precedent,” Fletcher said, “not only for Gaza, but for humanitarian aid operations around the world. We have the systems in place to ensure aid reaches civilians and not Hamas — Israel is choosing depopulation over saving lives.”

Conclusion: A Plan Under Fire

The storming of the aid center, the resignation of key figures, and growing international condemnation highlight the fragility and controversy surrounding Israel’s new aid delivery model in Gaza. With the humanitarian crisis deepening, global actors are urging immediate changes to ensure that neutral, effective, and humane aid reaches those most in need.