The crisis in Gaza has reached a heartbreaking point as humanitarian aid distribution collapses under the pressure of desperation, blockades, and political conflict. On May 27, 2025, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a newly launched aid group backed by the U.S. and Israel, attempted to deliver food to thousands of starving people in Rafah city. But what was supposed to be a lifeline turned into a scene of panic and violence. Shots were fired near one of the aid centers, massive crowds surged forward, and chaos took over the humanitarian operation.
This tragic incident comes as Gaza continues to suffer from one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern history. The war between Israel and Hamas has destroyed homes, schools, hospitals, and infrastructure. Around 85% of Gaza's population—more than 1.8 million people—are now internally displaced. Children are starving, clean water is nearly impossible to find, and medicine is running out.
As the world watches images of desperate families trying to grab boxes of food, one question remains: Is the global community doing enough to save Gaza?
A Struggling Population: The Human Face of Gaza’s Hunger
Gaza has been under a near-total Israeli blockade for nearly three months. The conflict has left basic life systems in ruins. Hospitals have no fuel, bakeries are shut down, and entire neighborhoods are reduced to rubble. According to the United Nations, 1 in every 2 Gazans faces extreme hunger. Children have been photographed eating leaves, stray animals, and expired food—just to survive.
In Rafah, a city in southern Gaza where many displaced people have gathered, the situation is dire. Palestinian families living in tents line up for hours, hoping to receive a box of food or a bottle of water. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation promised a new system to deliver large-scale aid, but the reality on the ground paints a different picture.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation: A Controversial Newcomer
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) announced this week that it had distributed 8,000 food boxes, equivalent to nearly 462,000 meals. While the numbers sound impressive, the process was anything but smooth.
GHF admitted that its distribution center in Rafah was overrun by a “small number of people,” forcing staff to pull back temporarily. Videos shared on social media and news channels showed thousands of Palestinians crowding around aid trucks. Some cried. Others fought. In the chaos, Israeli helicopters reportedly fired warning shots near the site, and tank gunfire was heard in the area.
While the Israeli military later said no fire was aimed directly at the distribution center, the presence of military force at a humanitarian site has drawn sharp criticism.
Shots Fired: A Dangerous Day in Rafah
The sounds of helicopters and tanks echoed through Rafah on the day of the aid distribution. According to Ynet, an Israeli news outlet, warning shots were fired by Israeli forces to disperse the crowds. The Associated Press confirmed gunfire was heard, though no injuries were immediately reported.
The fear and confusion led to further panic. Aid workers struggled to maintain order, and many families went home empty-handed. GHF later said “normal operations” resumed that same day, but many critics argue that the damage had already been done.
The chaos highlights the enormous pressure on aid systems in Gaza. With more than 2 million people in need, any delay or disruption causes suffering on a massive scale.
United Nations: This Isn’t the Answer
The United Nations has slammed the current aid model used by the GHF. UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, called the footage from Rafah “heartbreaking.” He emphasized that the UN already has a detailed, operational plan to deliver aid effectively—but it requires open border crossings and freedom to move.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) also criticized the GHF, calling its operations a “distraction” from real solutions. Spokesperson Jens Laerke said: “We do not participate in this modality... It is a distraction from what is actually needed.”
According to the UN, the only way to help Gaza is to fully reopen all border crossings, remove tight restrictions on goods, and support established humanitarian frameworks that already exist. The GHF, by contrast, is seen by many as politically motivated and lacking transparency.
Aid or Agenda? U.S. and Israel’s Controversial Support
GHF is supported by the United States and Israel—two nations heavily involved in the current conflict. This has raised concerns about neutrality and intentions. Critics argue that bypassing the UN and using an alternative aid group could allow Israel and the U.S. to control the narrative, manage optics, and reduce international pressure.
Laerke of OCHA explained that the current aid is being “cherry-picked,” meaning only certain items are allowed in, and many essentials are still blocked. Israel claims this process is necessary to prevent Hamas from diverting supplies, but humanitarian experts say it ends up punishing ordinary people more than militants.
Just this week, the World Food Programme (WFP) announced that there is no evidence Hamas is seizing aid. WFP director Cindy McCain said her teams have not seen any signs that food or supplies are being stolen by militants.
Desperation on the Ground: Stories from Palestinians
Local journalists and aid workers in Rafah report heartbreaking scenes. Mothers wait in line with malnourished children. Teenage boys offer to trade shoes for food. An elderly man collapsed from dehydration while waiting for his turn.
One aid worker told reporters: “I’ve worked in war zones for years. But what I saw in Gaza this week... it broke me.”
Many Palestinians are losing hope. They see aid trucks arrive but leave empty-handed. They hear promises from international groups but still go to sleep hungry.
Blame Game: Hamas, Israel, and the Human Cost
GHF blamed “blockades imposed by Hamas” for delays in aid delivery. Meanwhile, Hamas’s media office claimed the GHF had “failed miserably.” This ongoing blame game hurts only the people stuck in the middle.
The truth is that both parties are contributing to the humanitarian disaster. Israel’s tight blockade prevents essential goods from entering, while Hamas’s control of Gaza can obstruct aid logistics and add to the tension. Instead of cooperating for the sake of humanity, both sides are using aid as a political tool.
What Needs to Change Now
Experts and humanitarian organizations agree on one point: Gaza needs unrestricted access to aid, immediately. Here’s what must happen:
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Reopen all crossings: Israel must allow food, water, fuel, and medical supplies to enter Gaza freely.
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Support UN operations: The world must fund and empower established UN systems already in place.
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Stop politicizing aid: Aid must be neutral. Using it for propaganda or military strategy violates international law.
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Protect aid workers and sites: No armed force should be near food distribution centers. People need to feel safe.
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Hold leaders accountable: Governments and militant groups must answer for delays and manipulation of humanitarian assistance.
A Humanitarian Crisis That Cannot Wait
The situation in Gaza is not just a conflict story—it is a human emergency. As children starve and families are left without shelter, the world has a moral obligation to act. Shots fired near aid centers, chaotic food lines, and politically influenced operations only worsen the suffering.
This is a moment where humanity must come before politics. It is time for world leaders, especially those with influence in the region, to demand real solutions. That means supporting proven aid models, ending the blockade, and treating every Palestinian life with dignity.
Until that happens, tragedies like what happened in Rafah will continue. And the people of Gaza—innocent, hungry, and caught in the crossfire—will keep paying the highest price.