IDF Declares Gaza Aid Center Roads ‘Combat Zones’ as Facilities Temporarily Shut Down

Aid distribution centers in Gaza will be closed Wednesday. The Israeli military has labeled the roads leading to these sites as "combat zones," limiting access for aid delivery.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which started operating last week with backing from the U.S. and Israel, cited "updates and organization" as reasons for the closure. The IDF has prohibited entry to these centers, emphasizing safety amid rising tensions.

Recent reports indicate that at least 27 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire near a distribution site, according to the Hamas-run Civil Defense Agency. This incident marks the third deadly event in just a few days along routes to GHF locations.

GHF plans to resume aid distribution on Thursday. Humanitarian groups are increasingly concerned about the dire situation in Gaza, where access to food, clean water, and essential supplies is severely limited. The GHF aims to replace the UN-led aid efforts, which Israel has criticized for allegedly allowing supplies to be hijacked by Hamas—an accusation the UN denies.

Under the new GHF model, Gazans must now travel to a handful of distribution centers in areas controlled by Israeli military forces, often ending up carrying heavy boxes back home. Many critics argue this approach forces people to walk long distances, making access to aid even more difficult.

Adding to the GHF’s challenges, Reverend Dr. Johnnie Moore was named its new head this week. He replaces Jake Wood, a former U.S. Marine who resigned in protest of the organization’s operations.

The conflict’s backdrop is grim. Since the military campaign began after Hamas’s attack on October 7, over 54,470 Palestinians have reportedly lost their lives, including more than 4,200 since Israel intensified its offensive in March. These statistics highlight the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region, raising urgent questions about the effectiveness and ethics of current aid distribution methods.

Read more about the humanitarian situation in Gaza in reports from BBC and other trusted sources.

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