In Gaza, at least two people were crushed to death and two others fatally shot Wednesday as thousands of starving Palestinians rushed a United Nations humanitarian aid distribution warehouse in Deir al-Balah, tearing open its metal walls in a desperate attempt to find food. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as starving people clamored for the supplies.
Abdel Qader Rabie: “I’m hungry, and I want to eat. There’s no flour, no food, no bread. There’s nothing at home. Every time I go get aid, I take hold of a box, and a hundred people crowd over me — 300. I couldn’t take anything. I just go home empty-handed. Before, the U.N. agency used to send me a message, and I would go, like any respected person. I’d take the aid, and I’d go back home. Now there’s nothing. If you’re strong, you get aid. If you’re not strong, you don’t.”
Gaza officials say at least 10 Palestinians seeking aid have been killed by Israeli forces in the past three days. The World Food Programme said in a statement, “Humanitarian needs have spiralled out of control after 80 days of complete blockade of all food assistance and other aid into Gaza. Gaza needs an immediate scale-up of food assistance. This is the only way to reassure people that they will not starve.”