Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières: MSF) has denounced what it describes as the systematic militarisation and manipulation of humanitarian aid in Gaza, accusing Israeli forces and their allies of transforming aid into a coercive tool of forced displacement. In a powerful statement, MSF Secretary General Christopher Lockyear condemned the latest food distribution operation in Rafah as a “tragic failure,” warning that the humanitarian framework in Gaza has collapsed under siege, bombardment, and calculated neglect.

Referring to the deadly events of 27 May, when dozens were shot amid a stampede for scarce supplies in Rafah, Lockyear painted a harrowing picture of desperation: "People are crowding behind fences for food and water, after months of deliberate starvation tactics." He described the new aid mechanism not as a solution, but as a form of “systematic inhumane treatment” that has continued unchecked for over 19 months.

MSF’s statement goes further, condemning the Israeli-designated aid zones as a cynical attempt to feign compliance with humanitarian law. In reality, these zones exclude the most vulnerable, the elderly, the disabled, and families trapped in remote or heavily bombarded areas. Aid, they say, is being trickled in at "barely symbolic levels," then blocked from reaching those who need it most.

“This is not relief,” said Lockyear. “This is a tool to uproot people, forcing them to move yet again. It aligns with what increasingly looks like an ethnic cleansing strategy in Gaza.”

The organisation warns that this weaponisation of aid, in tandem with forced displacement and the bombardment of civilian areas, may amount to crimes against humanity. It renewed its urgent call for a permanent ceasefire and the immediate, unrestricted opening of all border crossings for the delivery of essential aid, food, fuel, medicine, and lifesaving equipment.

Earlier the same day, over 30 Palestinians were killed and more than 150 injured when Israeli forces targeted civilians approaching a U.S.-run aid distribution point in Al-Mawasi, Rafah. For the people of Gaza, even the hope of aid has become a deadly trap.