Weathering International Criticism, GHF Continues Aid Distribution Operation in Gaza

Latest Developments

• Thousands of Food Boxes Distributed to Gazans: The U.S.-Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) announced on May 28 the opening of a new secured site for humanitarian aid distribution. As its operation in Gaza continued for a second day, the GHF additionally confirmed that more than 14,500 food boxes had been collected by Gazan civilians, each of which contained enough nutrition to feed 5.5 people for a period of 3.5 days. Currently, the GHF has two “Safe Distribution Sites (SDS)” that are fully operational, noting its “plans to build additional sites across Gaza in the weeks ahead.”
• GHF Claims No Casualties Among Crowds at Rafah SDS: The GHF also addressed media reports that one person was killed and 48 were wounded as a crowd tried to overrun its distribution site outside the southern city of Rafah on May 27. “This is false. No shots were fired at Palestinian crowds at the SDS and there were no casualties,” it said, emphasizing that “this type of reaction from stressed beneficiary populations is expected and we remain prepared to continue providing life-saving assistance should disruptions occur.” The IDF separately stated that Palestinians at the site were not targeted with aerial fire, although troops fired warning shots in the area outside the compound as order was reestablished.
• EU Opposes GHF Operation: Further criticism of the GHF’s operation was voiced by the European Union, with the bloc’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, stating: “We don’t support the privatization of the distribution of humanitarian aid. Humanitarian aid cannot be weaponized.” Meanwhile, Israel expressed frustration at the United Nations’s failure to distribute aid from 400 trucks held up on the Gazan side of the Kerem Shalom border crossing. This was one of the first aid convoys to arrive in the coastal enclave since March when Israel announced a temporary blockade due to Hamas’s refusal to accept a ceasefire and release the remaining hostages it holds captive. Maj. Gen Ghassan Alian, head of the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) lamented, “With the renewed entry of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, we have reached out to all humanitarian aid organizations and the international community – and called for them to take part in the distribution of aid to Gazan civilians. However, in the past few days, the UN has avoided fulfilling its role and instead continues to spread false and incorrect information regarding civilian distress.”

FDD Expert Response

“While the United Nations fails to deliver 400 truckloads of food that the Israeli government has cleared into Gaza, an EU diplomat complains about a private foundation delivering over 800,000 meals directly to Gazan civilians, bypassing Hamas. How odd.” — Lewis Libby, Distinguished Fellow

“Hamas made hundreds of millions of dollars by stealing, hoarding, and selling international aid over the past year and a half of conflict in Gaza. In order to end this war and force Hamas to finally surrender, it is critical that the international community find a way to get much-needed aid to Gazans without lining the pockets of the terrorists. That is the laudable mission of the Gaza Humanitarian Fund, and it is far too early to declare the two-day-old effort a failure.” — Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network 

“By opposing the delivery of aid to Gazans outside the existing mechanisms, the United Nations and other groups expose that they are political bodies, not humanitarian ones. Their institutional inertia has led them to oppose solutions that cut into their monopoly on aid distribution. If the GHF approach succeeds, it will be vastly superior to the previous methods that enriched Hamas and supported a black market in which Palestinians would have to purchase the donated aid at exorbitant prices.” — David May, Research Manager and Senior Research Analyst

FDD Background and Analysis

“‘Agents of the Occupation:’ Hamas Threatens Civilians Who Accept Aid From Gaza Humanitarian Foundation,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Allows Aid Into Gaza as Operation Gideon’s Chariots Begins,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Ready to Resume Gaza Aid Through New Foundation as Expanded Operation Looms,” FDD Flash Brief

“‘We’re Increasing the Pressure’: Israel Approves Expanded Gaza Operation, IDF Set to Hold Territory,” FDD Flash Brief