In a significant development for aid operations in Gaza, the United Nations and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), citing concerns that it was “designed to cater to Israeli military objectives.” This stance comes as the GHF announced the temporary closure of its facilities due to deadly incidents, further highlighting the complexities and divisions within aid efforts.
The GHF’s decision to halt operations follows a series of tragic events, including the killing of 27 people in southern Gaza on Tuesday near one of its aid sites. While the Israeli military is investigating the incident, the controversy surrounding the GHF’s independence adds another layer of difficulty to the already perilous humanitarian situation in the Strip.
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher condemned the “horrifying scenes” of Gazans being killed while seeking food, stating these are the result of “deliberate choices that have systematically deprived” them of essentials. His words implicitly criticize any aid efforts that might be perceived as compromised.
Fletcher reiterated the UN’s capacity and readiness to deliver aid, emphasizing the need for independent and unimpeded humanitarian action. He called for the opening of all crossings, the lifting of restrictions on aid, and the implementation of a ceasefire to genuinely address the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.
