Aid distribution in Gaza was blocked on Friday as the United States and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) closed all its centres until further notice. The move comes in light of the Israeli attacks on Gaza that claimed at least 16 lives, according to local health authorities. The Israeli army has claimed to have lost four soldiers while five have been injured in an explosion in a building in the Khan Younis area of Southern Gaza.
The GHF had earlier shut down its centers as a precautionary measure citing overcrowding. The foundation released a statement stating that, "The distribution was conducted peacefully and without incident, however, it was paused due to excessive crowding that made it unsafe to proceed."
Famine in Gaza
The United Nations and several aid agencies have warned of a famine looming in Gaza after Israel imposed an aid blockade in the region in March. Israel has allowed some aid into the region due to mounting international pressure, which the UN has claimed to be inadequate and “a drop in the ocean.” The UN also asserted that due to Israel’s blockade, the rate of malnutrition in young children in the area has increased multifold.
Gaza Humanitarian Foundation
The GHF commenced aid distribution at the end of last month that was deemed as “inadequate” by the UN. The foundation has opened three centres in the area, claiming to have distributed 8,160 boxes of food.
According to reports, the Israeli military had opened fire near an aid distribution site on Tuesday claiming them to be “Palestinian suspects.” The military has allegedly restricted the movement of Gazans to aid centres between 6 A.M. to 6 P.M. post which the areas will be considered as closed military zones.
