Desperate Palestinians Storm US-Backed Aid Site Amid Biometric Screening Fears

Thousands of Palestinians surged into a food aid distribution centre in Rafah, southern Gaza, on Tuesday, overwhelming the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) site despite growing fears over Israeli-imposed biometric screenings.

The chaotic scenes unfolded as residents, many of them on foot or in donkey carts, rushed to receive food packages after enduring 11 weeks of a near-total blockade. The GHF said it had distributed 8,000 boxes—equivalent to over 460,000 meals—since operations resumed.

Eyewitness footage and social media clips showed long lines of people entering through wired corridors and into an open area stacked with aid. Later, fences appeared torn down as the crowd surged forward. Some videos remain unverified.

The GHF said its team had to briefly retreat due to the overwhelming number of people, but no injuries or gunfire were reported. Operations resumed later. However, Hamas claimed Israeli forces killed at least three people and wounded dozens near the site—a claim the GHF denied as “totally false.” Israel has not officially commented, though the military earlier stated that warning shots had been fired to restore order.

A UN spokesperson described the incident as “heartbreaking,” underscoring the tension surrounding the aid rollout. While the GHF began deliveries on Monday, many Palestinians initially hesitated, citing concerns over facial recognition technology and warnings from Hamas.

“I am hungry, my children are hungry, but I am afraid,” said 55-year-old Abu Ahmed via WhatsApp. “They say the foundation works with Israel and uses surveillance.”

Though Israel insists its military is not directly involved in the distributions, both it and the US have endorsed the GHF’s operations. Critics, including former GHF staff and humanitarian organisations, question the foundation’s neutrality, citing the use of biometric checks and Israeli control over access.

International aid groups, including the UN and the Red Cross, have boycotted the GHF programme. “Aid must not be politicised or militarised,” said Christian Cardon of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Despite easing the blockade last week, only a fraction of the 500–600 daily aid trucks needed have entered Gaza. The Israeli military claims 400 trucks are ready for distribution, accusing the UN of stalling efforts. Meanwhile, US charity World Central Kitchen said its aid remains stuck at the Kerem Shalom crossing.

Since mid-March, Israeli military operations have continued across Gaza, with over 3,900 Palestinians killed, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The broader war, triggered by Hamas’ October 7 cross-border attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and resulted in 251 hostages, has now claimed more than 54,000 Palestinian lives, local authorities say.

With the humanitarian crisis deepening, aid deliveries remain mired in conflict, mistrust, and mounting desperation.