A controversial new aid center in Gaza began its work on Tuesday, with chaos and confusion marring the first days of operation. The group running it was conceived by Israelis and the plan was backed by Israel, but the United Nations and many other humanitarian organizations are boycotting it, 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 has 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.

Jonathan Whittall, a senior U.N. humanitarian official, said nearly 50 people had been injured in the chaotic fray on Tuesday. He called the Israeli attempt to take control of humanitarian aid distribution for Palestinians in Gaza part of “an assault on their human dignity.” On Thursday, the group running the new aid operation said warning shots and smoke bombs were fired to disperse crowds at a distribution hub it had just opened in central Gaza.

Is any aid getting into Gaza?

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the new group running aid distribution, said on Thursday that about 17,200 food boxes had been distributed in the enclave so far, with each one feeding “5.5 people for 3.5 days,” totaling more than 1.8 million meals. The flow of aid is expected to increase daily, it added.

But the United Nations said the supplies constitute a mere trickle of assistance in face of the needs of a population of about two million people at risk of famine.