Hundreds of Gazans stood in line Tuesday to receive food parcels as two of the four new humanitarian aid centers began operations in the enclave.
The line for recipients, who were notified to pick up their packages, stretched nearly two kilometers (1.2 miles) long in the Tel al-Sultan section of Rafah.
Three of the four aid centers are in the southern Gaza border city, with the fourth located near the Netzarim Corridor in the southern section of Gaza City.
The packages, to be distributed to families by identification number every five days, contain flour, rice, sugar, oil, pasta, dry beans, canned vegetables, canned beans, tehina and biscuits. The boxes also include chocolate spread and similar items.
“This project reflects ongoing coordination between the IDF Southern Command, COGAT, international humanitarian organizations, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and the American security firm involved,” the IDF said in a statement.
The aid centers are managed by private American military contractors hired by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a new US-run authority intended as a first step to replacing Hamas administration in Gaza.
Israeli media reported late Tuesday afternoon, however, that thousands of Gazans stormed the two aid centers, breaching the fences surrounding the facilities.
Footage of the moment the aid distribution center in Tel Sultan was overrun by thousands of Gazans. According to Israeli security sources, the IDF did not fire from the air but fired warning shots in the air, adding that the U.S. security company regained control over the site. https://t.co/mDbeaHRgRL pic.twitter.com/vbWS2DeCFv
— Ariel Oseran أريئل أوسيران (@ariel_oseran) May 27, 2025
Israeli media reported that the incident began when Hamas set up a checkpoint to prevent the Gazans from reaching the aid center.
Israeli forces brought the situation under control by firing in the air to stop the mob, and the US private security contractors regained control over the site.
IDF sources said the incident had been anticipated and was planned for.
By the end of the day, some 8,000 family aid packages were distributed. Operations are to resume Wednesday.
