The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation started distributing aid this week, but it was off to a rough start as desperate Palestinians scrambled to get food after weeks of delays. The group denies any reports of violence and says it will push forward with opening more distribution points in the strip.

The masked and armed security contractor atop a dirt mound watches thousands of Palestinians who have been kettled into narrow lanes separated by fences below.He makes a heart shape with his hands and the crowd responds - the fence begins to bend as they push against it.

Israel is facing growing international pressure as aid distribution efforts in Gaza devolved into chaos during the first days of a controversial new mechanism backed by the United States and Israel.