GHF says it closed sites early today due to ‘excessive crowding that made it unsafe to proceed’

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation says it was forced to close its sites early today due to “excessive crowding that made it unsafe to proceed.”

“At no point did violence occur,” GHF stresses in a statement.

The announcement comes several hours after a similar post was made on its Arabic Facebook page, which is used to communicate directly with Gazans.

The Arabic post said GHF had closed its two Rafah sites because large crowds — particularly before the sites even opened — had hindered distribution.

The post also urged Gazans to wait until GHF sends notifications out before heading to distribution sites.

But it is unclear whether the directive accounts for the long distances that Gazans are required to travel in order to reach the sites. Many have reported making the trek of dozens of kilometers only for them to arrive after boxes of food have run out.

The limited food is also likely what has led to the overcrowding, with hunger still plaguing much of the Strip after a 78-day Israeli blockade through most of March, April and May.

GHF says it has distributed roughly 25,000 boxes of food since it began operations late last month, but families with men and boys strong enough to make the trek, wait in line and lug large boxes back to their homes have a major advantage over others. The boxes are filled largely with dry food products that to prepare still require cooking equipment or community kitchens, which are in very low supply throughout the war-ravaged Strip.

GHF does not say how much aid it distributed at its sites on Friday, but a spokesperson says GHF will resume operations on Saturday.

While GHF has been operating three distribution sites, only one or two have been open on most days since the May 26 rollout, and no timeline has been provided for when a site in northern Gaza will be opened.

The small number of distribution sites aimed at serving a population of roughly two million has been a major point of criticism from the UN and other international organizations, who have argued that Palestinians in need should not be forced to walk long distances through war zones in order to pick up food.

The dangerous conditions were highlighted earlier this week when the IDF, three days in a row, admitted to opening fire toward Palestinians who it said had strayed from the pre-approved road they’re supposed to use to reach aid sites. Dozens were killed and hundreds were injured in the three incidents, according to Hamas health authorities and the Red Cross. The IDF insisted that those figures were exaggerated and described its fire as warning shots.