Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Begins Aid Deliveries Amid Chaos And Bloodshed

(MENAFN- Swissinfo) The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), supported by Israel and the US, was created as a replacement to UN-led humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip. Barely one week after its official launch, it's already laden with major controversies. This content was published on June 3, 2025 - 15:26 9 minutes Dawn Clancy

Last week, chaos and gunfire erupted during the launch of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's aid initiative when thousands of starved and panicked Palestinians rushed a food distribution site after two months of an Israeli blockade that prohibited food and other essential items from entering the battered enclave. The Israeli military said it fired warning shots to disperse the crowd.

Since the foundation's opening day debacle on May 27, the carnage has continued with at least two additional mass casualty events near GHF distribution sites in Gaza's south. On June 1, more than 30 Palestinians were killed and over 100 were injured by“warning shots” fired by Israeli forces, according to Palestinian authorities and eye witnesses. The GHF called the reports“completely false and fabricated.” In a statement, the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was“appalled” by the reports and called for an immediate and independent investigation.”

Then on June 2, at least 27 Palestinians seeking aid were killed by Israeli fire also near a distribution site in the south. In a post on X, the Israeli military said warning shots were initially fired when“several suspects” deviated from the designated aid routes. Additional shots came after“the suspects failed to retreat.” The military said,“details of the incident are being looked into.”

The deadly events represent serious challenges for the foundation and have brought to light issues repeatedly raised at the highest levels of United Nations leadership on whether the newly established organisation is fit for purpose, respects international law and abides by humanitarian principles.

Heavy criticism

Since its inception, the UN and NGO partners that work in Gaza have rejected and heavily criticised the foundation, which has entities registered in Delaware, a city in the US, and in Geneva, Switzerland, for essentially sidestepping the UN-led humanitarian aid delivery system that has operated in Gaza for decades. While it is still unclear how the foundation plans to operate, it appears that the bulk of its operations are now being carried out through the Delaware entity in the US.

The controversial GHF – the brainchild of Israel and the United States – consists of food distribution hubs, also called Secure Distribution Sites (SDS), in the enclave's south that are managed by private US contractors and secured on the periphery by the Israeli military. Israel has long accused Hamas of stealing humanitarian aid with scant evidence, if any.

When asked in a recent interview on a US morning news programme if the World Food Programme (WFP) had witnessed Hamas diverting aid, Cindy McCain, the organisation's executive director, said,“No, not at all. Not in this round.”

Displaced Palestinians carrying relief supplies from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Afp Or Licensors

After the incident on May 27, where the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) said that it received reports that at least 47 people had been injured while trying to collect aid at a distribution point in Rafah, a city in Gaza's south, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described it as a momentary“loss of control” that was quickly brought“back under control.” He was speaking at the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Conference in Jerusalem.

In subsequent emails sent to the media, the GHF denies that there were any deaths, injuries or chaos at the distribution sites on May 27.“Reports to the contrary originated from Hamas and are inaccurate,” it said.

The UN and NGOs have repeatedly accused the GHF of militarising aid and have been highly critical of any IDF involvement.

Aid delivery process?

SWI swissinfo has emailed GHF separately requesting details on the process for picking up aid but has not received a response. But in an email to media outlets June 1, the GHF said a total over 4.7 million meals had been distributed through three fully functioning aid hubs in Rafah and one newly opened site in central Gaza in the six days since it started its operations in the Palestinian enclave.

More More A Geneva-based NGO is Israel's answer to aid in Gaza

This content was published on May 21, 2025 The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an NGO backed by Israel and the US, will privatise aid into Gaza. The UN has strongly opposed the plan.

Read more: A Geneva-based NGO is Israel's answer to aid in Gaz

MENAFN03062025000210011054ID1109631934