Tragedy Strikes Amid Women-Only Aid Day in Gaza

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's women-only food distribution day led to chaos and tragedy as Mary Sheikh al-Eid was killed in crowd control measures by Israeli troops. This incident highlights the dangers surrounding aid distribution in Gaza, drawing criticism of the current humanitarian system.

The food distribution event, aimed exclusively at women, was promoted by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) through social media, paired with cheerful illustrations of women receiving aid. However, this initiative took a dark turn when Mary Sheikh al-Eid, a mother seeking food for her children, was killed during a chaotic scene at the aid distribution site.

Mary had lost her husband earlier in the ongoing conflict and had been surviving on limited provisions. Despite the advice of her family to stay away due to safety concerns, she agreed to go, believing fewer women would be present. Upon arrival at the site in southern Rafah, Mary found herself part of a massive crowd that quickly descended into chaos.

According to her sister Khawla, the scene was out of control, with security forces using pepper spray and stun grenades in a desperate attempt to manage the growing crowd. As the situation escalated, Khawla and Mary were separated, and Khawla soon received the harrowing news that her sister had been shot in the head. Tragically, Mary did not survive.

This women-only distribution day, intended to offer a rare moment of safety and autonomy, instead contributed to a deadly incident that underscores the dangers associated with the GHF’s aid distribution system. Since its establishment in May, the GHF system has been linked to numerous deaths, with over a thousand Palestinians reportedly killed while seeking aid.

Witnesses, including a former US soldier, described the events as brutal, claiming indiscriminate firing on unarmed civilians. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) maintain that they fired warning shots and were unaware of any casualties. Yet the international community and humanitarian organizations have slammed the GHF distribution model as flawed and potentially dangerous, fearing it increases Israeli control over aid delivery in Gaza.

As humanitarian needs continue to grow amid devastation, the UN has called for increased aid, warning against the current model that leaves civilians at risk. The tragedy of Mary Sheikh al-Eid serves as a sobering reminder of the risks many take in search of basic necessities in an increasingly dire situation.