Tragic Death Highlights Growing Crisis in Gaza's Food Aid System

Fri Oct 17 2025 00:48:18 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A grieving father recounts the harrowing loss of his son, Abdullah, who was shot while waiting for food distribution in war-torn Gaza. The incident sheds light on the humanitarian crisis fueled by ongoing conflict and food shortages.

The recent shooting of Abdullah, a 19-year-old, near a Gaza aid site has brought attention to the dire humanitarian situation exacerbated by armed conflict and food shortages. His father, Diaa, recalls the painful moments leading to his son's death as they sought aid. The broader implications of the blockade and military actions are also discussed, highlighting an escalating famine in the region.

Diaa, a middle-aged father and husband, was a polite host at his family home in one of the refugee camps in central Gaza. But you could see his pain.

'Please come in. This is Abdullah's room.'

Abdullah was his 19-year-old eldest son. On 2 August he was shot dead waiting for the daily opening of one of the food distribution sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). It started operating in Gaza in May, established by Israel and the US and protected by the Israeli military, the IDF, and armed American security guards who are special forces veterans.

In Abdullah's empty bedroom, Diaa hugged his son's school bag.

'My darling boy. His smell is still on it. May God have mercy on you, my son, forgive you, and accept you in the highest ranks of Paradise, God willing, with the Lord of the Worlds.'

Diaa blames himself. 'The night before he said to me, 'Dad, I want to go.'

'I told him, 'For God's sake, I don't want you to go tomorrow, please don’t go.'

He said, 'God willing, everything will be fine, Dad.'

'Of course it's an awful feeling, as if I was the one who killed my son, as if I was the one who sent him to his death.

'But we needed that aid. I gave up my eldest son so he could feed his siblings, his father and his mother.'

Gaza is now inflicted by a famine due to restrictions on food and essential supplies. An investigation by IPC revealed that famine has reached Gaza City, a claim contested by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. With humanitarian conditions worsening, many Palestinians, especially young men like Abdullah, risk their lives for basic sustenance.

Abdullah's friend, Moaaz, recounts the event leading to Abdullah's death. They followed IDF soldiers' instructions to the GHF site but were caught in the chaos. When Abdullah stepped away, he was shot.

With humanitarian aid now limited to just three GHF sites compared to the previous 400, many like Diaa are left grappling with guilt and pain. As violence continues to escalate, access to food and safety remains perilous for the people of Gaza.