The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) organized a "women-only" food distribution day in the Saudi district, an attempt to create a safer environment for women amid the ongoing conflict that has ravaged Gaza. The event, publicized through social media, aimed to alleviate the dire situation faced by families struggling after weeks of armed conflict and food scarcity.
Mary Sheikh al-Eid had hoped to secure food boxes for her seven children, as her husband had fallen victim to the violence. Despite her family urging her to stay away, she believed the women-only event would attract fewer people, making it safer. "Mary wanted to go because it was a day for women," her sister Khawla recounted.
However, chaos erupted as women gathered at the designated site, which has witnessed frequent turmoil since GHF's food aid distribution began in May. Reports indicate that security forces responded to the overwhelming crowd with pepper spray and stun grenades to disperse them. Khawla and Mary became separated in the melee, and Khawla received devastating news shortly after. “I was told my sister had been shot and taken to a nearby field hospital,” she said.
Tragically, Mary succumbed to her injuries, becoming one of the two women killed during the distribution. Witness accounts describe a scenario where Israeli troops fired at close range, creating an atmosphere of fear among civilians just trying to access aid.
Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis confirmed the fatalities, with reports that over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed since the GHF's aid system was established. One former US soldier criticized the methods used against aid seekers, citing significant brutality toward unarmed civilians.
Despite the escalating violence, Israeli authorities maintain that their forces act in self-defense and have accused Hamas of inciting chaos to disrupt the aid distribution process. Critics argue that GHF's formation has compromised established humanitarian protocols, increasing civilian risk.
The UN has called for an urgent increase in aid to Gaza as the situation grows dire, with reports of malnutrition-related deaths rising. As Israel continues its operations, the call for accountability regarding civilian protection remains critical. Mary Sheikh al-Eid's tragic fate serves as a stark reminder of the chaotic and dangerous conditions facing those in search of basic necessities in the ongoing conflict.
