Middle East Tensions Supported by The Israeli military is again advancing into Gaza and has blocked most aid, causing widespread hunger. A new but widely criticized system for getting in relief started operating last week. By Aaron BoxermanSamuel Granados and Ephrat Livni Aaron Boxerman reported from Jerusalem. Chaos, confusion and conflicting reports of violence have marred the first week of operations for a controversial new aid distribution system in Gaza. The group behind the effort was conceived by Israelis and the plan was backed by Israel, with American contractors mostly running the effort, but the United Nations and many other humanitarian organizations are boycotting the project, criticizing its lack of independence. The criticism is another sign of Israel’s growing isolation. Britain, France, and Canada issued a rare public reprimand of Israel on May 20, demanding that it cease its widening military offensive in Gaza. That laid bare growing rifts between Israel and its traditional Western allies and prompted a furious Israeli response. Much of the criticism had focused on Israel’s decision to block aid to Gaza for more than two months beginning in March, exacerbating already dire conditions in the enclave. Since the new aid system began its first full day of operations in the last week of May, there has been evidence of continual disarray and multiple reports of violence at or around distribution sites run by the new group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, as hungry Palestinians gather en masse, hoping to receive some food amid a stark scarcity of supplies. Here is what to know about the situation. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said on Sunday that it has so far distributed about 67,200 aid boxes in Gaza containing about 4,720,000 meals, and that it plans to scale up operations. Where tent camps are filling up again in Gaza Following fresh evacuation orders, people have fled once again to Mawasi, a small strip of land where Israel has repeatedly instructed Palestinians to go during the war. Feb. 15 Detail May 17 500 ft. Where tent camps are filling up again in Gaza Following fresh evacuation orders, people have fled again to Mawasi, a small strip of land where Israel has repeatedly instructed Palestinians to go during the war. Feb. 15 Detail May 17 500 ft. Israeli military ground activity in Gaza in the past week A B Gaza City Mediterranean Sea GAZA STRIP C Khan Younis ISRAEL F D E Rafah EGYPT Near Gaza City A B Graded area Recently cleared areas Cleared areas New vehicle tracks Near Khan Younis C D Cleared areas Cleared areas New vehicle tracks Near Rafah E F Cleared areas Cleared areas Israeli military ground activity in Gaza in the past week Near Gaza City A B A Graded area B Gaza City Cleared areas Recently cleared areas New vehicle tracks GAZA STRIP C Near Khan Younis Khan Younis C D D E Cleared areas F Cleared areas Rafah New vehicle tracks Near Rafah E F Cleared areas Cleared areas Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. Already a subscriber? Log in. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.