Women-Only Aid Distribution in Gaza Ends in Fatal Tragedy Despite Safety Measures

A designated women-only food distribution in southern Gaza turned deadly when two women were killed amid chaotic scenes, casting doubt on the effectiveness of gender-segregated safety protocols in conflict zones.

By Lubowa Babu Hussein

July 26, 2025 at 10:19 PM

2,692 views

Key Takeaways

A women-only aid distribution in Gaza ended in tragedy with two Palestinian women killed despite safety measures intended for women's safety.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), backed by Israel, operates only four aid distribution sites, significantly limiting access for Gaza's 2 million residents.
Eyewitnesses and a former US soldier report the use of excessive force by Israeli security forces during the aid distribution, contradicting GHF's claim of a successful event with no incidents.
Over 1,000 Palestinian fatalities have been documented near aid points since GHF took over the distribution system in May.
European governments and aid agencies criticize Israel for allegedly weaponizing food access, a claim Israel denies without providing evidence.

A humanitarian effort to provide safer aid access for women in Gaza ended in violence on Thursday when two Palestinian women were killed during a gender-restricted food distribution in Rafah. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) had explicitly invited only women to its "morning distribution" event in the Saudi district, promising a controlled environment amid ongoing dangers.

Sisters Mary and Khawla Sheikh al-Eid joined the queue hoping to secure food for their families after weeks of surviving on lentil soup. "Her children begged her not to go," Khawla recounted to the BBC. "Mary insisted it would be safe since only women were allowed." Upon arrival, however, they encountered chaotic crowds that led to Israeli security forces deploying pepper spray and stun grenades. Separated in the chaos, Khawla later learned her sister had been shot.

Mary Sheikh al-Eid—a widowed mother of seven—died from a neck wound at Nasser Hospital. Another victim, Khadija Abu Anza, was fatally shot nearby while retreating from Israeli troops, according to her sister Samah: "They fired warning shots, then a bullet hit her neck. She died instantly."

This incident adds to the 1,000+ Palestinian fatalities documented by the UN near aid points since GHF launched its Israeli-backed distribution system in May. Former US soldier Anthony Aguilar, who worked with GHF, described witnessing "indiscriminate force against an unarmed, starving population."

Israel Defense Forces acknowledged firing "warning shots hundreds of meters away" at perceived threats before the distribution opened but denied awareness of casualties. Contradicting eyewitness accounts, GHF declared the women-only event "very successful" with "no incidents."

The controversial GHF system—operating just four sites for Gaza's 2 million residents—has replaced the UN's 400-location network, drawing condemnation from European governments and aid agencies who accuse Israel of weaponizing food access. Israel maintains the change prevented Hamas from diverting aid, though it has not provided evidence.