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The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has faced criticism from various parties, including the United Nations and Israeli officials, since it started providing aid last month. There have been incidents of violence reported near the aid distribution sites, leading to tension and concern. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have acknowledged firing at individuals they deemed as “suspects” for not complying with orders to move away from the soldiers.
Expressing disapproval of GHF’s operations, the United Nations, through U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher, has called for the agency to take charge of the situation. In contrast, Israeli authorities have contested the U.N.’s stance by claiming that GHF is distributing aid in a manner that prevents Hamas from benefiting from it.
Palestinians in Gaza get aid from the U.S. and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. (Gaza Humanitarian Foundation)
She also urged U.N. member states to support GHF “to help it safely deliver aid without it being diverted by Hamas.”
The critique of the U.N.’s handling of the GHF situation is not limited to Israeli officials. Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon has gone as far as accusing the organization of utilizing coercive tactics akin to those used by criminal organizations against NGOs cooperating with GHF.
Gazans are seen going to and from an aid collection spot. (Amit Segal)
“Without any discussion, without due process, the U.N. removed those NGOs from the shared aid database. That database is the central system for tracking aid deliveries into Gaza,” Danon told the Security Council on May 28. “This is the gravest violation of the U.N.’s own principles. It is extortion of well-meaning NGOs that refuse to kiss the ring.”
The GHF closed its distribution sites on Wednesday, saying it was working to bolster security and would reopen on Thursday. However, the reopening was delayed because of maintenance work. The sites eventually resumed aid distribution later on Thursday.
