Israeli fire results in fatalities among Gaza aid-seekers, occurring concurrently with a meeting between the US envoy and families of the hostages
In the war-torn Gaza Strip, where over 2 million people now largely rely on aid, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) continues to operate amidst a severe humanitarian crisis. Established in February 2025, this American nonprofit, backed by Israel and the United States, has been distributing humanitarian aid in Gaza after a prolonged Israeli blockade. However, its operations have been highly controversial and criticized for causing violence, alleged military involvement, and significant human rights concerns.
Last week, the latest deaths occurred near the GHF sites, with at least 10 people killed after Israeli forces opened fire near two aid distribution sites in Gaza. According to reports, at least 20 hostages are said to be dead, and eight people were killed near the northernmost GHF distribution site. Two people were killed in the Shakoush area, hundreds of meters from where the GHF operates.
The GHF's armed contractors have only used pepper spray or fired warning shots to prevent deadly crowding, as claimed by the foundation. However, the violence has continued, with Israeli forces shooting hundreds of Palestinians attempting to access aid at GHF sites, killing between 550 and over 700 and injuring more than 4,000 by early August 2025.
The United Nations, partners, and Palestinians have expressed concern that far too little aid is coming in, with months of supplies piled up outside Gaza waiting for Israeli approval. The GHF's operations have replaced about 400 UN distribution points, distributing food boxes intended to feed tens of thousands; however, aid covers only a fraction of Gaza’s nutritional needs. Distribution is tightly controlled, often brief, and within evacuation zones, forcing Palestinians to risk re-entry into dangerous areas to seek aid.
The US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with hostages' families on Saturday. According to Witkoff, US authorities want half of the remaining 20 hostages to be freed on the first day of a cease-fire, with the remaining hostages to follow shortly after. However, the father of Israeli hostage Guy Illouz, Michel Illouz, stated he received "no answers" when he requested Witkoff to establish a deadline.
The GHF's funding and political backing have also been under scrutiny. Initially, the U.S. State Department denied receiving government funding for the GHF, but later approved $30 million in funding, with reports suggesting at least an additional $7 million was already provided before this announcement. The organization aligns with a political vision embracing "creative solutions" to Gaza aid distribution.
International condemnation for the GHF has been strong, with UN human rights experts and special rapporteurs calling for its immediate dismantling. They accuse the organization of breaching international humanitarian law, exploiting relief efforts for covert military and geopolitical agendas, and enabling impunity for Israeli actions in Gaza. The entanglement of Israeli intelligence, U.S. contractors, and the opaque nature of GHF’s operations raise serious legality and ethical concerns. UN experts emphasize that GHF’s functioning undermines principles of humanitarian neutrality, impartiality, and independence.
Despite these controversies, Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, declared that the US had developed a plan to free all of the remaining hostages. Protesters from families at the plaza known as the hostages' square in Tel Aviv, Israel, called on Israel's government to make a deal to end the war. On Saturday, Gaza's health ministry reported seven deaths due to malnutrition-related causes, including a child.
The meeting between Witkoff and the hostages' families was captured on tape and broadcast on Israeli television. Witkoff met with hostages' families in the GHF's assistance delivery station in the southern city of Rafah. Trump, however, stated that he now believes that everybody should come home at once, no piecemeal deals. The future of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and the fate of the hostages remain uncertain amidst these ongoing conflicts and international scrutiny.
- In addition to the ongoing war-torn situation in Gaza, there have been increased concerns about car-accidents, crime-and-justice, and political issues in the region.
- The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), despite its humanitarian efforts, has been facing accusations of alleged military involvement and breaching international humanitarian law, often found in war-and-conflicts scenarios.
- Meanwhile, the sports world has been evolving separately, with sports-betting gaining popularity across the globe.
- As the future of the GHF and the fate of the hostages remain uncertain, general-news outlets continue to cover both local issues like the ongoing conflicts and international topics such as politics and sports.
