Palestinians in Gaza are risking their lives daily to get food as aid remains scarce and violence surges. Israeli troops have opened fire near aid routes and looters wait outside distribution points to rob those carrying supplies, residents say.“I don’t see how it can get any worse, because it is already apocalyptic. But somehow it does get worse,” said Olga Cherevko, spokesperson for the UN humanitarian affairs office.Most food aid is distributed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which operates inside Israeli military zones. The UN says the aid is not enough to prevent starvation. Palestinians describe scenes of chaos, with crowds crawling under gunfire and people being shot or struggling for basic items like lentils and flour.“I have nothing to feed my children,” said Jamil Atili, who returned empty-handed and injured from a food centre after he was unable to get anything for his children.“This isn’t aid. It’s humiliation. It’s death”, he added.Israel began allowing food into Gaza this month after cutting it off completely for 10 weeks. United Nations officials noted that it is not enough to prevent starvation. Most of the supplies go to GHF, which operates four food distribution points inside Israeli military zones. Some aid goes to the UN and humanitarian groups camps.Hundreds have been killed or wounded while trying to reach aid in recent weeks, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. On Tuesday alone, more than 50 people were reportedly killed. Witnesses say Israeli tanks, snipers and drones open fire to prevent crowds from moving past a certain point before the centres open.Palestinian witnesses described that food boxes were stacked on the ground inside aid centres, secured by fences. Thousands rush inside to grab what they can, as reported by the Associated Press.When supplies run out, desperate looters often target those leaving with food.Describing the chaos, Mohammed Saqer said stampede-like situations frequently occur as people scramble for aid. This leaves many injured with no one to help as everyone is focused on getting food.Many return with little or nothing. Omar al-Hobi said he returned empty-handed twice, managed to grab a pack of lentils once and on the fourth day, was determined to get flour for his three children and pregnant wife.“No one will show you mercy these days. Everybody fends for themselves,” he said.
