The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.-backed organization, has launched a new initiative to deliver food aid directly to Palestinian families through local leaders, addressing long-standing criticisms of its previous distribution model. This system was introduced amidst reports that the previous method required civilians to travel long distances and pass through military zones, exposing them to potential harm. The organization’s new approach involves community leaders contacting GHF or one of its NGO partners to coordinate local distribution, with GHF teams vetting these leaders, assessing their community’s needs, and ensuring the aid reaches the intended recipients. Food boxes are collected at predetermined locations by locals, with GHF verifying that the aid is distributed according to the community leaders’ lists.
John Acree, the interim Executive Director of GHF, emphasized the necessity of adapting their methods to effectively address the complex challenges of providing humanitarian aid in Gaza. He stated,