GHF Foundation: A Controversial Aid Initiative in the Gaza Strip
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Get the scoop on this new aid group and its headlines-making operations
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) is a fresh initiative, launched in May 2025, funded by the US and Israel, with a mission to distribute humanitarian aid in the volatile Gaza Strip. With mounting criticisms of traditional aid channels, such as the UN and UNRWA, being ineffective or compromised, GHF has stepped into the picture to replace or supplement these established methods.
But it's been a bumpy ride for this new foundation. Here's an overview of its mission, controversy, and the dicey relationships it's built.
Origins and Intentions
Established to manage the distribution of food packages to Palestinians, the GHF was constructed under the watchful eyes of Israeli forces and a US-linked civilian security company. Israeli military reportedly constructs four aid distribution centers in Gaza, controlled by international aid organizations but secured by this private company and guaranteed by the Israeli military.
Yet, the foundations' declared aim to improve aid efficiency under Israeli and American governance sparked controversy from the get-go.
Criticism and Controversy
GHF has faced a barrage of criticism from the UN, aid organizations, and human rights groups for allegedly undermining neutral, long-established aid channels. Critics argue that the foundations structure politicizes and militarizes aid delivery, violating international humanitarian principles.
Amnesty International Australia labels GHF an illegitimate and inhumane aid scheme, posing a risk of breaching international law, particularly the Geneva Conventions that mandate impartiality, neutrality, humanity, and independence in aid distribution. They believe that aid coordinated by military or security personnel fails these principles and effectively weaponizes starvation.
The UN and established aid organizations also oppose the foundation, seeing it as a threat to their humanitarian mandate.
Ties with Hamas and the Israeli Military
GHF operates under strict Israeli military control, effectively excluding Hamas – a key governing authority in Gaza – from participating in aid distribution. This exclusion mirrors Israel's security and political stance against Hamas.
The close presence of Israeli military security around GHF centers, combined with declared combat zones by the Israeli Army, creates hazardous circumstances for Palestinians seeking aid. According to Gaza health authorities, around 100 Palestinians have been killed since late May 2025 while trying to reach GHF distribution centers, underscoring the danger and the population's mounting distrust.
The military control and frequent clashes have caused operational challenges, leading to the temporary closure of several GHF distribution points. Moreover, international consulting partners such as the Boston Consulting Group have walked away from the program, citing the instability and operational failures.
In sum, the GHF represents a contentious US-Israeli maneuver to control humanitarian aid delivery in Gaza, bypassing traditional neutral channels and excluding Hamas. Its militarized approach has sparked widespread condemnation for violating humanitarian law, contributing to the suffering of Palestinians, and creating perilous conditions at distribution points. The situation remains volatile, with ongoing clashes and humanitarian concerns.
The Palestinian Authority has been asked to take a position on the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US-Israeli initiative that distributes aid in Gaza, criticized for politicizing and militarizing humanitarian efforts. This move raises war-and-conflicts and politics issues, adding to the general-news discussion on the ongoing instability in the Gaza Strip.
Despite the allegations of breaching international humanitarian principles, the GHF's close relations with the Israeli military and exclusion of Hamas have not only accelerated the distrust among Palestinians but also provoked opposition from established aid organizations and human rights groups. This situation highlights the complex political dynamics at play in the Gaza Strip, where the delivery of aid continues to be a contentious matter.
