Aid delivery halted in Gaza after dozens killed by Israeli fire near distribution site

The U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) announced it will suspend aid distribution on Wednesday, urging Israel to enhance civilian safety around aid delivery zones. 

The move follows the deaths of dozens of Palestinians near a GHF food distribution site on Tuesday.

The foundation has requested the Israeli military to implement better crowd control measures, provide clearer guidance for civilians, and improve training aimed at protecting civilians near military perimeters. “Our top priority remains ensuring the safety and dignity of civilians receiving aid,” a GHF spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, an Israeli military spokesperson warned civilians to avoid areas around GHF sites, calling them “combat zones.” The Israeli military stated it had opened fire on what it considered a threatening group near one of GHF’s distribution sites. The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed at least 27 deaths and numerous injuries, though GHF claimed the incident occurred “well beyond” its designated site.

Eyewitnesses reported chaos during Tuesday’s aid handouts, describing uncontrolled crowds, no ID verification, and a lack of coordination during the distribution of food boxes.

As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the UN Security Council is set to vote Wednesday on a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, as well as unrestricted humanitarian access across Gaza. Aid efforts have been severely disrupted since Israel lifted its 11-week blockade on the besieged enclave, where famine is looming.

“It’s unacceptable. Civilians are dying just trying to get food,” said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, criticizing the current aid model—which relies on GHF—for being disorganized and unsafe. “This is a recipe for disaster, and that’s exactly what we’re seeing,” he said.

GHF, which began operations in Gaza just a week ago, says it has distributed over seven million meals from three designated secure zones. Interim Executive Director John Acree called on other humanitarian groups to partner with GHF: “Work with us and we will get your aid to those who need it.”

However, the UN and several aid organizations have refused to cooperate with the GHF, arguing that it lacks neutrality and relies on militarized delivery tactics. The foundation uses private U.S. firms for security and logistics, further fueling skepticism among humanitarian groups.

This comes amid multiple international attempts to improve aid delivery to Gaza’s 2.1 million residents, nearly all of whom are now at risk of famine. Past efforts—including Jordanian air drops and a U.S. floating aid pier—have faced major obstacles.

The UN has consistently accused Israel and the breakdown of law and order in Gaza for impeding aid delivery. Israel, in turn, blames Hamas for diverting aid—a claim Hamas denies.

On Tuesday, Israel confirmed the deaths of three soldiers in northern Gaza combat, while Palestinian health officials reported at least 18 deaths from other Israeli strikes. These figures could not be independently verified.

A draft resolution being brought to a vote by 10 elected members of the UN Security Council demands an “immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire,” the release of all hostages held by Hamas and others, and the lifting of all aid delivery restrictions.

“The time to act has already passed,” said Slovenia’s UN Ambassador Samuel Zbogar. “We bear a historical responsibility not to remain silent.”

It remains uncertain whether the United States will veto the resolution. A spokesperson for the U.S. mission to the UN stated, “We cannot preview our actions currently under consideration.” A resolution requires at least nine affirmative votes and no vetoes from the five permanent Security Council members—the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, or France.

The ongoing war in Gaza began in October 2023 after Hamas militants killed 1,200 people in Israel and took around 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures. In response, Israel launched a military campaign that has since killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, which do not distinguish between civilians and combatants.