NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which has faced controversy, is temporarily halting its distribution of aid for one day to enhance security at its facilities. This pause is also aimed at allowing the organization to devise strategies for managing larger gatherings more effectively.
The decision for GHF to suspend operations follows incidents where Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) allegedly fired at Palestinians who deviated from designated paths to receive aid. These occurrences happened over three consecutive days, according to reports from the Times of Israel.
In the central Gaza Strip on May 29, 2025, Palestinians collect aid provided by the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. (REUTERS/Ramadan Abed)
On Tuesday, the IDF said its troops “identified several suspects moving toward them, deviating from the designated access routes.” The soldiers fired warning shots and then opened fire when the suspects would not retreat, according to the IDF.
Contrary to the IDF’s account of events, several reports stated that at least 27 Palestinians were killed while trying to access aid on Tuesday. The Times of Israel reported that Hamas health authorities claimed 31 people were killed on Sunday, three on Monday and 27 on Tuesday, in addition to the many wounded in each incident.
Palestinians carry aid supplies they received from the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, May 28, 2025. (REUTERS/Hatem Khaled)
While the GHF has enjoyed the support of the U.S. and Israel, several aid organizations and the United Nations have criticized the system, claiming that it militarizes aid. However, Israel has repeatedly praised GHF for distributing aid in Gaza without empowering Hamas.
U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordination Tom Fletcher, an outspoken critic of GHF, has routinely urged in interviews that his organization be allowed to do its work.
On Wednesday, the U.N. Security Council is expected to vote on a demand for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, as well as humanitarian access across Gaza, according to Reuters.
Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon has already voiced his objection to the resolution, saying that it “undermines” humanitarian aid relief and “ignores a working system in favor of political agendas.”
