A U.S. and Israeli-backed humanitarian aid effort for Gaza says it's started distributing desperately needed food. The U.N. calls it a "distraction from what is actually needed."

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.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation began distributing aid this week despite criticism from the United Nations and some aid groups that have long been operating in Gaza. The controversy ramped up on Tuesday after a Palestinian was killed and 47 others were injured when shots were reportedly fired into the crowd of Palestinians who were trying to get food at an aid distribution site in Rafah,