US-Israeli Backed Aid Program in Gaza Spirals into Chaos**

A new aid initiative in Gaza, supported by the US and Israel, has faced significant turmoil, with chaotic scenes at distribution centers, armed security presence, and complaints of disorganization contributing to the crisis as hunger deepens among the population.**

The recent launch of a US-Israeli backed aid distribution program in Gaza has turned chaotic, raising concerns about its effectiveness and safety. On Tuesday, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) opened its first aid center, aiming to provide much-needed supplies after an Israeli blockade hindered fresh deliveries for over two months. The early scenes of celebration quickly morphed into chaos as thousands rushed for aid, with videos capturing moments of panic as gunshots emerged from armed security contractors overseeing the event.

The GHF’s initiative has been highly controversial, initiated to circumvent the UN's traditional role in Gaza aid distribution, which has been criticized by Israeli officials for enabling Hamas to potentially pilfer resources—an accusation Hamas denies. The foundation claims to have distributed millions of meals in just days, but verification of their achievements remains elusive, raising eyebrows among humanitarian organizations.

Eyewitness accounts have detailed intense scenes when GHF employed non-lethal deterrents, including smoke bombs and warning shots, as crowds grew restless. GHF's communication has been poorly received, with many Gaza residents recounting difficulties accessing reliable information about aid availability, leaving them reliant on informal networks for updates on distribution status.

With reports of looting and violence against aid warehouses, the World Food Programme condemned the deteriorating humanitarian situation and called for unimpeded access. The GHF's operations face mounting criticism due to their reliance on military-style control over aid, prompting concerns from organizations like Oxfam, which voiced concerns for vulnerable populations struggling to navigate the distribution system.

The presence of armed contractors raises alarms about the nature of humanitarian assistance and since the GHF's operations started, only a fraction of the necessary aid has reached civilians. As desperation among Gazans grows, voices like that of Hani Abed, who left empty-handed from a distribution site, echo the collective uncertainty and hunger afflicting the territory, highlighting a dire need for a more effective and compassionate approach to delivering aid.