Chaos erupts at Gaza aid site as UN and U.S. respond

Tensions flared Tuesday at a U.S.-backed aid distribution site in Gaza.

(CNN)- Tensions flared Tuesday at a U.S.-backed aid distribution site in Gaza, prompting sharp reactions from international officials after video emerged showing desperate crowds and brief withdrawals by aid workers.

“We have been watching the video coming out of Gaza,” said Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the United Nations. “And frankly, these images are heartbreaking to say the least.”

The incident unfolded as thousands of Palestinians rushed a distribution site managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. The site had been set up to deliver emergency food supplies following weeks of extreme shortages. In the chaos, some people tore down fencing and climbed over barriers in a desperate attempt to access aid.

Israeli troops overseeing the area reportedly fired warning shots into the air, and U.S. contractors temporarily pulled back from the site for safety reasons.

At the U.S. State Department’s daily briefing, spokesperson Tammy Bruce shifted the focus to the overall volume of aid entering Gaza. “The real story here… is that aid and food is moving into Gaza at a massive scale… you’re looking at 8,000 food boxes,” Bruce said.

The United Nations, however, has voiced concerns about the structure and security of the aid distribution plan, which has faced criticism for lacking coordination and clear protections for civilians.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation acknowledged Tuesday’s incident but has yet to announce any changes to its process. Meanwhile, Bruce declined to address specific criticisms, saying, “I’m not going to address either gossip or complaints or people who knew or weren’t included or would do it a different way or who’s shooting at whom.”