Gaza food aid chaos turned fatal when four Palestinians were killed after mobs broke into a United Nations warehouse in Gaza’s central part. The UN World Food Programme confirmed that “hordes of hungry” individuals broke into the Al-Ghafari warehouse in Deir al-Balah. Two individuals were crushed to death and two others were shot.
Firecrackers exploded during the melee, though officials have not yet determined their source. The disaster follows days of restricted aid delivery into Gaza, after a three-month Israeli blockade increased an already desperate humanitarian crisis.
UN Warehouse Stormed by Starving Civilians
The WFP said the violence broke out as hunger needs spiralled beyond control. The Al-Ghafari warehouse stored pre-positioned stocks to be distributed. But the crowd of desperate people broke in and grabbed bags of flour and food boxes. AFP video shot the chaos as people rushed for assistance with gunshots ringing in the background.
“Gaza requires an immediate scale-up of food aid. That is the only way to assure people they will not go hungry,” the WFP added in its release.
Violence at Another Food Centre
The warehouse attack was preceded by a similar violent outburst the day before. A civilian was killed and 48 others were wounded at a different aid point. Israeli forces opened fire after Palestinians broke through fences of an aid point operated by a US-funded organisation. Israel had chosen the organization to manage aid delivery into Gaza.
Eyewitnesses reported mayhem. An Israeli helicopter dropped flares as gunfire erupted. Footage captured frightened civilians, including children and women, running and climbing over fences in terror.
Ceasefire Negotiations Fail as Offensive Escalates
At the same time, Israel continues to intensify its military campaign in Gaza. Attempts by intermediaries to secure a ceasefire continue to fail. In Tel Aviv, hundreds protested for a truce, marching at 6:29 a.m.—the precise hour of the October 7 Hamas attack.
Hostage families also expressed anger. Arbel Yehud, released in January, attributed Israeli operations as making the hostages worse off. “Food runs out, pressure mounts, and bombs don’t rescue them. They put their lives at risk,” she stated. Of the 251 October 7 kidnappings, the Israeli army reports 57 hostages still in Gaza, with 34 verified dead.
