US and Israel-backed group reopens two Gaza aid sites

Foundation closed its distribution centres for 'renovation' after several deadly shootings

Palestinians gathered near one site in Rafah to collect what remained of relief supplies. Reuters

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The US aid organisation distributing food in Gaza said it had reopened some of its collection points on Thursday after more than 24 hours of closure.

Two sites in Rafah in southern Gaza were operating, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said, after all its food banks were closed for "renovation" a day earlier.

One of Thursday's sites was in a new location, it said. Another existing site in Khan Younis remained closed and the GHF said no food parcels were sent there.

Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said expanding the new aid operation "will help shorten the war" by weakening Hamas, which Israel accuses of pilfering aid.

The foundation said on Wednesday that its aid centres would remain closed for the day after several deadly shooting incidents near its sites killed scores of Palestinians and drew sharp UN condemnation.

Following the announcement, the Israeli army warned people against travelling “on roads leading to the distribution centres, which are considered combat zones”.

The GHF said it was working to made aid distribution “as safe as possible” and urged those travelling to its sites to “follow the routes designated” by the Israeli army.

The group originally said its sites would reopen on Thursday, but announced late on Wednesday that they would not open at the regular time. “Our distribution sites will not open early tomorrow morning as in previous days due to ongoing maintenance and repair work,” it wrote on social media.

“We will share information about opening times as soon as work is complete.”

Palestinian women gather at a food distribution point in Nuseirat on Wednesday. AFP

The foundation began its operations last week after Israel eased a blockade on Gaza that had prevented aid from entering for more than two months, sparking warnings of mass famine.

But the group's first week of work has been marred by violence and criticism. At least 27 Palestinians were killed waiting for aid at a distribution centre in the southern city of Rafah on Tuesday, according to Gazan authorities. On Sunday, 31 people were killed in a similar incident near a site run by the foundation. Three were killed on Monday.

The GHF is a private group but is backed by the US and Israel. Its aid operations, which bypass traditional humanitarian groups, have been condemned by the UN and established charities, who say they place civilians at risk by forcing them to navigate militarised areas to reach the aid sites. The organisation has said it distributed more than seven million meals in its first week.

Gazans are desperate for food after an 11-week Israeli aid blockade and are sleeping near aid collection points despite fears of deadly violence, The National has been told.

Food shortages and violence have propelled fresh international calls for an end to the war but a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remains elusive.

The US, Israel's main ally, used its veto power at the UN Security Council on Wednesday to block a resolution calling for a ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access in Gaza.

Hamas condemned the veto as “disgraceful” and accused Washington of “legitimising genocide” in Gaza.