The U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has been at the forefront of efforts to alleviate the severe food crisis in Gaza, despite facing mounting international scrutiny. Since its inception on May 27, GHF has been delivering essential food supplies to millions of Palestinians, with claims that it has already provided 97 million meals to date. The organization operates four distribution sites, each capable of providing 2,400 daily calories for 5.5 people over a span of 3.5 days, amounting to an average of 2 million meals per day. This operation has been supported by substantial U.S. funding, with $60 million in contributions recently released by the U.S. government. However, this figure is dwarfed by the $298 billion in aid allocated globally for the crisis since October, raising questions about the effectiveness and prioritization of aid sources.
President Donald Trump, while on a recent trip to Scotland, emphasized the importance of providing immediate and safe food aid to Gaza. His comments were part of an effort to rally international support for the U.S.-backed initiative, which has garnered criticism from both the U.N. and several of its American allies. The U.N. has been particularly vocal in its condemnation of GHF, with U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini calling GHF an ‘abomination’ that ‘provides nothing but starvation and gunfire to the people of Gaza.’ Such statements have contributed to a growing international debate on the legitimacy and effectiveness of GHF’s operations.
Spokesperson Chapin Fay has defended GHF’s efforts, stating that the organization’s primary mission is to ensure that aid reaches the most vulnerable populations without being diverted by Hamas. Fay claims that the organization has implemented measures to ensure aid security, including a system that allows for direct distribution to families, bypassing potential looters. The organization has also introduced new initiatives, such as a red-light, green-light system to indicate the availability of aid at distribution sites and has added more shelf-stable onions to its aid boxes. Fay has also noted that some aid is being held back to ensure that women and children are prioritized, resulting in positive interactions with aid-seekers.
Despite the challenges faced, GHF continues to scale its operations, working with local NGOs to expand its reach and efficiency. The organization is preparing to deliver its 100 millionth meal to Gazans, marking a significant milestone in its mission. However, the situation remains fraught with tension, as the U.N. and other NGOs continue to oppose GHF’s security measures, arguing that the use of armed guards is inappropriate and that aid should be delivered without such measures. The controversy surrounding GHF highlights the complex and politicized nature of humanitarian aid in conflict zones, where the intersection of politics, security, and human suffering comes into sharp focus.