Footage shows desperate Palestinian storming new Gaza aid site
Thousands of desperate Palestinians have swarmed an aid distribution site in Rafah, southern Gaza, as security contractors lose control of the crowds and open fire with live ammunition.
The incident comes after the Israeli-backed plan to disperse humanitarian assistance opened the centre earlier.
Shots fired at aid distribution point as controversial Gaza relief plan kicks off
Israeli media are reporting that shots have been fired at an aid distribution point in southern Gaza, hours after a US-backed aid mechanism became operational.
Videos of the scene showed large crowds running past a broken fence and rushing to receive some of the first parcels delivered in Israeli-controlled areas in coordination with the US government, a private US security company and the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
It is not yet clear who fired the shots and no injuries have so far been reported.
‘Complete chaos’
Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary, reporting from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, says there was “complete chaos” as Palestinians in southern Gaza rushed to receive some of the first aid that entered the besieged territory in months.
Khoudary said that after the first Palestinians returned back to their shelters with some food parcels, more people started heading towards the aid distribution point in the south.
“The forces that were present in that area were shooting live ammunition to disperse the Palestinians who were going to receive the food,” Khoudary said.
She added that what needs be underlined is that after months of a total blockade, Palestinians are “very desperate”.
“They are not having any food and this is the only way to feed their children.”
