Camilla Jessen
As hunger deepens in Gaza, Israel has declared roads to food centers “combat zones”
Tensions around food distribution in Gaza have escalated dramatically after the Israeli military warned civilians not to travel on roads leading to humanitarian aid centers, calling them “combat zones.”
The warning comes just hours after 27 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire while waiting for food at a center operated by the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), according to The Guardian.
It is the third deadly incident in as many days involving civilians attempting to access food in a territory where humanitarian needs have reached catastrophic levels.
An Israeli military spokesperson claimed that troops had fired “evasive shots” at a group approaching soldiers, but escalated to live fire when the individuals allegedly continued advancing.
The statement did not specify who the “suspects” were or whether they were armed.
Witnesses told The Guardian that gunfire began near the Flag Roundabout, nearly a kilometer from the aid center.
Aid Center Closures Spark Fears
In response to the attack, the GHF announced it would temporarily close its distribution centers on Wednesday for “upgrade, organization and efficiency improvement work.”
The group said operations would resume Thursday and confirmed it is in talks with the Israeli military to increase security beyond the immediate area of its centers.
A spokesperson for the GHF expressed sorrow over the latest deaths, saying the organization was “saddened to learn that a number of civilians were injured and killed after crossing the designated safety corridor.”
The UN’s top human rights official, Volker Türk, called the attacks “unthinkable” and warned they may constitute war crimes.
“Deadly attacks on desperate civilians trying to access the meager amounts of food aid in Gaza are unthinkable,” Türk said. “Attacks targeting civilians constitute a grave violation of international law and a war crime.”
The latest deaths come after more than 30 Palestinians were killed on Sunday at the same distribution site.
Mounting Hunger
Since March, Israel has imposed a near-total blockade on aid entering Gaza, claiming Hamas is diverting food for its fighters, an accusation the group denies.
Gaza officials say there is no clear evidence of widespread diversion.
Meanwhile, aid agencies warn that half a million people are now facing starvation in the enclave of 2.3 million people.
Critics argue that the new aid structure, led by the GHF, is failing. Originally formed to bypass UN-led efforts, the foundation has faced backlash from humanitarian groups who say the system is inadequate and risks turning food into a tool of political control.
Leadership Changes
Amid the crisis, the GHF has undergone a leadership shake-up.
On Tuesday, Johnnie Moore, an evangelical leader and former adviser to Donald Trump on interfaith issues, was named the organization’s new director.
He replaces Jake Wood, a former U.S. Marine, who resigned citing concerns that the GHF could not maintain independence from Israeli influence.
Humanitarian organizations and international observers have voiced concern that the GHF, under its current structure, lacks the neutrality and capacity to meet Gaza’s overwhelming needs.