Turmoil erupted at a Gaza aid distribution site on Tuesday, overseen by a US-backed organization, as thousands of Palestinians desperate for food overwhelmed the location. Israeli forces fired warning shots into the air, and American contractors overseeing the operation briefly withdrew amid the disorder.

The distribution, organized by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), came after nearly three months of a severe Israeli blockade that has left Gaza’s population—over two million people—teetering on the edge of famine and facing a deepening humanitarian disaster.

Many residents who managed to reach the site expressed relief at receiving aid but spoke of exhausting journeys, confusion, and overwhelming crowds.

“The place is very far, and we struggled until we arrived. I am tired and exhausted,” said Abu Ramzi. “How can they provide food for all these people? There are too many people here; security will not be able to control them all.”

A diplomatic source noted the chaos was “a surprise to no one.”

Footage from the distribution center in Tel al-Sultan showed crowds breaching fencing and climbing over barriers meant to control access. According to Palestinian health officials, at least one person was killed and 48 others were injured in the mayhem. The fatality reportedly occurred after the individual succumbed to severe injuries at the Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah.

Wafiq Qdeih, another resident seeking aid, said, “They want order, but there will be no order because these are desperate people who want to eat and drink.”

GHF admitted that its team temporarily retreated to minimize potential casualties, stating that this decision followed its operational protocols. The organization said it had so far delivered around 8,000 food boxes—equaling roughly 462,000 meals—and aimed to reach 1.2 million people by week’s end.

Israeli forces confirmed firing warning shots outside the aid site but denied using aerial fire. The Israel Defense Forces claimed the situation was eventually stabilized.

Meanwhile, a security source said American contractors on-site did not fire any shots and that distribution efforts would resume Wednesday.

Amjad al-Shawa, head of the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network, described the situation as a predictable failure. “If Israel believes starvation and this kind of aid delivery system will work, they are deeply mistaken,” he said.

GHF plans to open three additional distribution centers—two in southern Gaza and one in central Gaza. The lack of facilities in northern Gaza has drawn criticism from humanitarian groups. The UN previously warned that limiting aid to the south aligns with Israel’s stated goal of depopulating the north, as articulated by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and others.

Wednesday also marks 600 days since the war between Israel and Hamas began, following the deadly October 7 attacks. Despite growing global condemnation, Israeli military operations continue, with plans to take control of 75% of Gaza within two months, a move that could force over two million Palestinians into the southernmost quarter of the enclave.

Critics have slammed the GHF aid model as unworkable, insecure, and incompatible with international humanitarian law. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs called it “practically unfeasible” and warned it posed significant security risks.

An Israeli military official claimed both the new US-backed aid mechanism and the previous UN-led system are now functional. According to COGAT, 95 trucks entered Gaza on Tuesday.

UNRWA, along with other aid organizations, reiterated readiness to deliver large-scale assistance as soon as access is granted. Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini condemned the chaotic distribution as “undignified and unsafe,” stating, “We saw desperate people clashing at fences for food. It was shocking, chaotic, and a distraction from the real atrocities.”

UN aid spokesperson Jens Laerke echoed this view, stressing that what’s truly needed is the full reopening of Gaza’s border crossings, safe conditions within the enclave, and expedited approvals for emergency supplies stuck just beyond the perimeter.

Although US and Israeli officials initially withheld the names of NGOs participating in the aid operation, images from the scene confirmed the involvement of “Rahma Worldwide,” a Michigan-based nonprofit providing global humanitarian aid