Critics from humanitarian organizations and the United Nations intensely denounce the fresh aid distribution strategy in Gaza.

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Gaza Aid Distribution Sparks Controversy Amidst Humanitarian Crisis

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) recently commenced distributing aid, despite criticism from the United Nations and some aid organizations. Visual evidence confirmed by our website shows throngs of people waiting for essential supplies.

Tension peaked on Tuesday, following reports of a Palestinian's death and 47 injuries at an aid distribution site in Rafah. According to the U.N., these injuries occurred when gunfire targeted a crowd of Palestinians attempting to secure food. The source of the gunfire remains unclear.

The Israel Defense Forces declared they fired "warning shots" near the distribution site as crowds surged, but not at civilians. The cause of the deceased individual's death remains unspecified.

The GHF refrained from commenting on our request for a statement. The organization previously denied any injuries or casualties at the Rafah site, insisting that all food was distributed without incident.

The GHF was launched on May 19, just three days after Israel intensified its military operations in Gaza. Initiated by Israel, in partnership with the U.S., the foundation aims to facilitate a secured aid distribution system hindering Hamas from accessing these areas.

In the wake of ending an 11-week blockade on aid entering Gaza, the GHF — a private contractor with U.S. and Israeli backing — assumed responsibility for providing aid within Gaza.

Palestinians continue to experience severe food shortages and are in danger of famine, as warned by the U.N. and aid groups. The blockade was imposed to apply pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages seized during Hamas's unexpected terror attack on southern Israel that occurred on October 7, 2023, and resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the capture of hundreds more, as stated by Israel.

"The degree of need in Gaza at present is alarming, and aid must be sent immediately and without restriction. Aid should reach those most in need, regardless of their location in Gaza, safely and with dignity," an International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) spokesperson told our website in a statement.

While the GHF seems to have some degree of U.S. backing, the U.S. government has yet to publicly comment on the organization or its role within it. The GHF lacks a public website.

Resignation of GHF Leader

Jake Wood, an American military veteran with public international humanitarian experience, resigned as head of the GHF on Sunday, May 25, prior to the aid distribution's commencement in Gaza.

In his resignation statement, Wood explained that he was recruited two months prior to lead the GHF due to his expertise in humanitarian operations. "I dedicated myself to establishing the GHF as an independent humanitarian entity," Wood stated.

"However, it is obvious that it is impossible to implement this plan while maintaining adherence to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence — principles which I refuse to abandon."

John Acree was established as the interim executive director of the foundation the following day, according to a statement from GHF.

When our website sought an interview with someone from GHF, the group declined to provide anyone available.

GHF announced it provided over 2.1 million meals in Gaza, with plans to expand operations and begin new sites, including in the northern region.

"In spite of the emergency intensity and kinetic environment surrounding our operations, the fact remains that our assistance efforts are assisting Gazans," a statement from Acree read. "But this is just the beginning. Our commitment to safely and effectively supplying food directly to a large, hungry population persists, and we eagerly anticipate further scaling and strengthening our initial endeavors to address the basic food security needs of the people in Gaza."

Worsening Humanitarian Crisis

Critics argue that GHF's plan will not meet the needs of Palestinians.

"I walked miles, grew tired, and returned home only with a can of peas," Mazen Yunis, a Palestinian from Khan Younis, told a producer from our website in Gaza outside the distribution site in Rafah. "The quantity was minimal, and the masses rushed it; only a few people received some, around 2,000 people went there, perhaps only hundreds received some."

"I have a 10-member family, and I only came back with a can of peas," Yunis said.

Netanyahu stated earlier this month that the new aid scheme under GHF would provide food for Palestinian families to last them a week. "It will be extremely challenging for Hamas to misappropriate this aid, especially considering we supervise these positions," Netanyahu said.

Amnesty International asserted that only seasoned organizations should supervise the relief required by the over 2 million Palestinians in Gaza, who face catastrophic levels of food insecurity due to the weaponization of starvation, in a statement issued Thursday.

"The United Nations and global aid organizations have universally damned the GHF for undermining established aid distribution networks and breaching core international humanitarian principles," Amnesty International said. "Alarmingly, the scheme puts military personnel in charge of aid delivery, an approach fundamentally opposed to international humanitarian standards."

U.N. officials also emphasized that humanitarian law must be respected.

"We persistently stress that a meaningful scale-up of humanitarian operations is essential to stave off famine and attend to the needs of all civilians irrespective of their location," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric stated on Tuesday. "We and our humanitarian partners remain prepared to deliver at scale, which is something we've repeatedly emphasized."

Aid groups also criticized the restricted number of distribution points.

"Even if implemented, the plan's proposed aid volumes fall short of the immense scale of needs in Gaza. The level of need at present is overwhelming, and aid must be sent immediately without restriction," the ICRC said in a separate statement on Tuesday.

The ICRC confirmed it is not involved in the GHF aid distribution, stating, "We cannot operate under any mechanism that does not allow us to maintain those principles and our modus operandi of work."

"Humanitarian aid should not be politicized nor militarized. This erodes the neutrality required to ensure assistance is delivered based solely on need, not political or military agendas," the ICRC said in a statement.

Gabor Rona, a professor at Cardozo School of Law who specializes in international humanitarian law, concurs with the criticism of the GHF.

"The GHF operation disregards humanitarian principles of independence, neutrality, and impartiality, but most significantly, the principle of humanity, given the operation's inadequacy and alignment with Israeli and U.S. interests in displacing civilian populations (a war crime and crime against humanity)," Rona stated in an email to our website.

The World Food Programme, which is affiliated with the U.N., stated that it "cannot operate safely under a distribution system that restricts the number of bakeries and sites where Gazans can access food."

"WFP and its partners must be granted permission to distribute food parcels directly to families — the most efficient method to prevent widespread starvation," the organization declared in a statement.

GHF declared in a press release on Friday that it is continuously testing and adapting its distribution model to deliver the maximum amount of aid to the greatest number of individuals.

"We will continue to adapt based on conditions on the ground, including access, crowd pressure, and safety considerations," the organization added.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is a private contractor with financial support from the U.S. and Israel, established to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. However, the foundation's methods have been criticized for potentially breaching international law, exacerbating displacement among Palestinians, and undermining humanitarian principles. Despite these concerns, Israel and the U.S. believe the GHF is essential to circumventing Hamas's interference with aid distribution.

Controversies and issues surrounding the GHF include legal questions — the closure of its Swiss operations due to rule breaches — and concerns related to humanitarian principles, security, and the neutrality and safety of aid delivery.

The controversy surrounding the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has expanded, with the emergence of video footage of car-accidents and war-and-conflicts occurring near the aid distribution sites.
In the realm of international politics, discussions regarding the GHF's role in the region have ignited an ongoing debate, with general-news outlets focusing on the potential breaches of international law.
Despite the criticism, the GHF has continued to operate and has announced plans to expand its operations, specifically in the football-dominated European leagues, such as the Premier League.
Environmentally conscious groups have expressed their concerns about the potential environmental impact of GHF's aid distribution methods, urging for a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach.
Crime-and-justice organizations have taken notice of reports of theft and robberies occurring near distribution sites, calling for increased security measures to protect the food supplies and the people.
Amidst the ongoing crisis, a glimmer of hope surfaces in the form of sports events, as people gather to watch and cheer on their favorite football matches, offering a temporary escape from the harsh reality.
In the face of this complex situation, various aid organizations and NGOs have come together, calling for the implementation of more effective and humanitarian solutions to address the food crisis in Gaza.
Accidents at the distribution sites have become more frequent, posing a significant risk to the general public and drawing attention to the need for improved safety protocols, drawing parallels to concerns over safety in car-accidents.