The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.-backed private organization, is sending humanitarian assistance into Gaza. Lately, it came under withering criticism after one of its distribution centers became the scene of deadly violence. Now we know that the GHF was created in response to Israeli claims that Hamas was diverting aid intended for the Palestinian people. Since then, Israel has failed to provide any public evidence to substantiate these allegations.
On Sunday, GHF described pandemonium at two newly opened food distribution sites. This disgraceful arrangement directly caused the deaths of at least 31 Palestinians, as well as the serious injury of over 400 others. Eyewitnesses and officials from the Palestinian Ministry of Health diagnosed the cause of death as Israeli military fire. This misguided action has aggravated already high tensions between GHF, Israel, and the global community.
Israeli authorities continue to claim that heightened security conditions are necessary for aid delivery. Yet, GHF has set no screening procedures for Palestinians at these sites. John Acree, interim executive director of GHF, added that despite the increased flows, humanitarian relief flowing into Gaza is still at emergency levels. He said, “The humanitarian relief flowing into Gaza is still woefully below what’s required. The need is immediate — and increasing daily.”
GHF is strongly committed to seeing aid distributed more equitably. To illustrate this dedication, they shared astounding surveillance footage of thousands of people running to an emergency distribution point at first light. With the help of six days, GHF transported more than 4.7 million meals. On one awesome day, they milked enough to fill 16 truckloads with dairy! This faith-based relief effort delivered more than 887,000 meals just on the Sunday morning before I arrived.
The United Nations and humanitarian organizations have condemned GHF’s harsh, operational tactics. They say that these tactics contravene humanitarian norms and escalate danger for civilians in the Palestinian territories. As UNRWA’s executive director Philippe Lazzarini stated later on the dangerous environment in which GHF had operated. He further stated, “Aid Assistance has ceased to be a lifeline, but instead has become a death trap. This morning, shot-down civilians led to widespread injury and death among starving civilians.”
The complicated new situation surrounding the distribution of aid has caused panic among mothers and other Palestinians. Mohammad Qdeih described the reality at the sites: “Whoever manages to push forward might get something. Those who can’t get nothing.” He further lamented the indiscriminate violence, saying, “They’re sniping everyone — women, children, innocent civilians who have nothing to do with anything.”
Osman, full of emotion, sent a message to Basel Abu Alwan. He mournfully added, “No distribution occurs. Everyone moves, but people go down. Gunfire goes and sprays in every direction.”
GHF has defended its operations. As NBC reported at the time, a spokesperson claimed, “There was no gunfire in the (distribution) center and not in the surrounding area at all.” They even downplayed reports of disorder as “false” information supposedly spread by Hamas.
With tensions rising, Palestinians like Ghassan Eid Al-Aghan have expressed their concerns as a Palestinian civilian on the ground. “The situation there is terrifying. Heavy gunfire. I won’t risk my life to go. We can’t continue to do business like this,” he stated. Another individual, Abdul Majid Al-Zayti, shared his desperation: “I couldn’t get any aid. I’m an old man. I have hungry children. Nobody in this world is interested in doing anything to assist them.”
The Israeli military denies that its forces targeted civilians in the area of the aid point. As a different Israeli military source conceded, they were shooting at people one kilometer away before they opened the humanitarian distribution point.
The continuing crisis in Gaza underscores the need for more effective solutions. We need to create a better, more transparent and safer system for delivering humanitarian assistance. As Acree pointed out, “The amount of aid the Americans bring is tiny.” The disparity between aid needs and actual provisions continues to fuel unrest and exacerbate the humanitarian disaster facing many residents of Gaza.
