Thousands of Palestinians flooded a UN food warehouse in the city of Deir el-Balah, the central Gaza Strip, on May 28, according to AFP's video and the World Food Program (WFP). The incident killed at least two people and injured many others.
According to AFP's video, the crowd broke into the WFP warehouse and took the bags and food bins, causing chaos with gunshots. The WFP confirmed that the Al-Ghafari warehouse in Deir el-Balah was broken into by crowds of hungry people searching for food that had been prepared for distribution.
Initial reports show two deaths and many injuries in the heartbreaking incident, the organization said, noting that it is continuing to verify the details.
The warehouse robbery comes as Gaza's hunger has worsened after more than two months of complete blockade, which has halted all food aid. Last week, Israel began allowing limited aid into the region. The WFP said: Humanitarian demand has been out of control after 80 days of complete blockade of all forms of food aid and other assistance to Gaza.
The United Nations also criticized the aid system operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF), a US-backed group, for ignoring the long-standing United Nations-led distribution system in the region.
On May 27, thousands of Palestinians flooded a GHF food distribution point, leading to chaos that injured at least 47 people and killed one person, according to a Palestinian health source.
The Israeli military said on May 28 that the soldiers did not fire at civilians in the incident.
As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate, the WFP has issued an urgent call: We urgently request a safe and unimpeded humanitarian corridor to be able to distribute food orderly throughout Gaza immediately.
