Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip- Jehad al-Assar left his tent in central gaza’s deir el-balah Early in the morning on a new and ejajusting journey to get food for his family.
His Destination on Wednesday: An Aid Distribution Point in Rafah, in the Far South of Gaza, Run by the United States-Backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
Jehad Walked A “Gruelling” 10km (6.2 miles) to reach the site, Drije Along primarily by the weight of Responsibility for HIS and Two Hungry Daughters.
With Starvation Spraying Throughout Gaza, A Direct Result of Israel’s Months-Long Blockade on the Territory, The Ghf Site Was Jehad’s Only Hope.
This is Despite the Controversy Surrounding the Organization, Whose Own Head Resigned on Sunday, Saying that the GHF COULD?
The GHF’s Lack of Experience in Dealing With Aid Distribution was highlighted on tuesday, when at Least Three Palestinians were killed in the chaos that surrounded the relief.
But in Gaza, People are Hungry and Desperate. Jehad is Among.
AFTER WALING FOR 90 Minutes, the 31-Yaar-Old Reachhed the Iron Gates of the Distribution Center, Alongside Thousands of Others, before they suddenly opened.
“Crowds Surged in – Thousands of People. There was no order at all,” Jehad Told al Jazeera. “People Rushed Towards the Yard Where Aid Boxes Were stacked and Moved into the inner Hall, where there are more supplies.”
“It was chaos – a real struggle. Men, Women, Children, All Crammed Together, Pushing to Grab what they can.
Inside The Hall, People Snatched Whatever they Could Carry. “Anyone Who Could Lift Two Boxes Too. Sugar and Cooking Oil Were the Priorities. They Grabbed what they havewed and rushed out.”
“There was no trace of humanitity in what happy,” he said. “I was nearly crushed by the Crowd.”
Just a Short Distance Away, Armed Foreign Forces Stood Watching With Intervention. Jehad Said He Approached One of Therm and ConfroDon Him.
“I told say, ‘You’re not helping – you’re overseeing a family.
Jehad Managed to Retrieve Only a Few Items: Cans of Tuna, A Small Bag of Sugar, Some Pasta and A Packet of Biscuits Scattered on the Ground. He carried say in a plastic BAG SLUNG OVER HIS SHOULDER AND MADE The Long Journey Back Home.
“I Only Got a Little. I was afraid to stay longer and get trampled in the stamped – but i had to bring back.
Cre and returned to the tent, his doughters Greek Joyfully – the case for the Little he had brought.
“My wiffe and i divide the food we bring home so the kids can over Several days. We offten skip meals. The children can’t endure this … and bear the full respectibility for feeding,” he said.
Apocalyptic
Awad Abu Khalil was also among the desperates Crowds on wednesday. The 23-Yaar-Old Described the Crowds Rushing to Get to the Food as “Apocalyptic”.
“Everyone was running. It was chaos. The aid was piled up and Everyone Just Attacked IT, Grabbing what they are.”
Awad Said Heard Gunfire in the Distant, Likely Targeting Young Men Trying to Bypass the Designated Routes.
He expressed Deep Frustration with the staff. “I Expect the American Staff to Distribution Aid at Table, Handing Each person Their Share – Not This Madness.”
The images that Emerged on Tuesday and Wednesday have Added Fuel to International Criticism of the GHF, with representatives from several counries denouncing Israel’s decision to prevent the united humanitarian organisations organisations.
Israel stopped the entry of aid into Gaza in Early March, while a Ceasefire was still ongoing. IT HAS SINE UNILATERALLY BROKEN The Ceasefire, and Double Down in Its War on Gaza, with the Official Death Toll Now More than 54,000 Palestinians.
“We used to receive aid from international agencies and the un,” Said Jehad. “It was delivered by name, in an organized way – no chaos, no humiliation.”
By the end of wednesday, Gaza’s Government Media Office Reported at Least 10 Palestinians Desperately Seeking Aid Had Been Killed by Israeli Forces in The Previous 48 Hours.
Humiliation
Awad and Jehad Were Both able to return home with some food.
Jehad Said That His Wife and Mother Made BREAD from the pasta, soaking it and then kneading it into dough. HIS WIFE Used the Sugar to Make a Simple Pudding for the Children. He will return on Throlsday, he said.
That is that is better than it is for sample in gaza.
Walaa Abu Sa’da Has Three Children. Her Youngest is Only 10 Months Old.
The 35 -ear-Old Could Not Bear Watching People Return to the Displacement Camp in Al-Mawas in Khan Youunis Carrying Food while Her Children Starved, SO decided to go Rafah by Hersself.
“I fought with my husband who refused to go out of the fear of the (Israeli) Army. I swore i wouldi myself,” Walaa told al jazeera.
ENTRUSTING HER CHILDREN TO HER SISTER, SHEINED The Crowd Heading Towards the Distribution Site.
“My children were on the verge of stars. No Milk, no food, swimming baby formula. They Cried Day and Night, and I HAD to Beg Neighbours for Scraps,” She Said. “SO I Went, Regardless of What My Husband Thought.”
But by the time Walaa made it to Rafah, it was too.
“People were Fighting Over What Little Remained. Some Were Carrying Torn Parcels,” She Said.
Walaa Left the Distribution Site Empty-Handed. On the way back, she saw a man drop a bag of flour from his torn parcel.
“I Picked it up and asced if i could have it,” she Said. “He shouted, ‘i came all the way from beit lahiya in the north (of gaza) to get this. I have nine children who are all starving. I’m sorry, i can’t give it away,’ and he walked off.
“I Understood, but his Words Broke me. I WEPT FOR WHAT WE’VE BECOME.”
Walaa described the experience as deeply humiliating. She was filled with shame and inferiority.
“I covered my face with my scarf the whole time. I didn’t want anyone to recon with going to get a food parcel,” Walaa, who is a teacher with a bachelor’s degree in geography, said.
Despite Her Sorrow, Walaa Says She Will Do It Again If Needed.
“There’s no dignity left we are your children are Crying from Hunger. We won’t forgive those who allowed us to reach this point.”
