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TOKYO: The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees hit out Wednesday at the new US-backed aid model in Gaza, a day after chaotic scenes during a distribution in the war-battered
territory. The United States announced in early May the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), sidelining the United Nations. Israel has facilitated GHF's efforts and says the model keeps
supplies out of Hamas's hands. On Tuesday there were chaotic scenes as thousands of Palestinians rushed into a GHF aid distribution centre in Rafah in southern Gaza, _AFP_ reporters
said. "We have seen yesterday the shocking images of hungry people pushing against fences, desperate for food. It was chaotic, undignified and unsafe," UNRWA chief Philippe
Lazzarini said in Japan. "I believe it is a waste of resources and a distraction from atrocities. We already have an aid distribution system that is fit for purpose," the head of
the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees said. "Meanwhile, the clock is ticking towards famine, so humanitarian (work) must be allowed to do its life-saving
work now," the Swiss told reporters. SUCCESS Tuesday's scenes came days after the partial easing of a total aid blockade on the territory that Israel imposed on March 2, leading to
severe shortages of food and medicine. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later acknowledged a "loss of control momentarily" at the centre, but a senior military official
said the distribution was nonetheless "a success". GHF has faced accusations of helping Israel fulfil its military objectives while excluding Palestinians, bypassing the UN system,
and failing to adhere to humanitarian principles. "The model of aid distribution proposed by Israel does not align with core humanitarian principles," Lazzarini said Wednesday.