The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), supported by the U.S. and Israel, has distributed around 70 million meals to Gazans since May. However, its aid distribution efforts have been consistently targeted by attacks from Hamas and opposition from unexpected quarters, namely some of the world’s leading aid organizations.
Earlier this month, Philippe Lazzarini, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Commissioner-General, called for an “end to the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF),” claiming it brings nothing but “starvation and gunfire” to Gaza’s people. He further described it as an “abomination.”
His statement highlighted that 230 NGOs, including Amnesty International, Oxfam International, the Norwegian Refugee Council, and Save the Children, had endorsed an open letter criticizing GHF and advocated for returning to the U.N.-led aid distribution model.
GHF released a statement Friday as the war of words continued.
“These false and misleading stats come directly from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry,” the statement said. “The U.N.’s reliance and coordination with a terrorist organization to falsely smear our effort is not only disturbing but should be investigated by the international community.”
Hamas has responded violently to GHF’s arrival on the aid scene. Acree said that GHF’s operation “is going against [Hamas’] system of stealing foreign aid, of controlling the market prices, of basically robbing the Palestinians that live in Gaza of their livelihoods and their economic welfare, and we’re breaking that.”
So far, 12 Palestinian GHF staff members have been killed and possibly submitted to “summary execution” on June 11. On July 5, two “highly decorated” U.S. veterans working with GHF were harmed in a grenade attack at a GHF distribution site.
Hamas terrorists stand in formation as Palestinians gather on a street to watch the handover of three Israeli hostages to a Red Cross team in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, Feb. 8, 2025. (Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Acree said that GHF is evolving. The organization “did not expect the desperation” it encountered.
“We’ve been told by the Gazans this is the first time they’ve ever received free aid or food, and they’ve had to pay for it up til now,” he said. To counter that desperation, Acree said that GHF is “taking measures now to help tap that tension and to help them understand that we’re there to help and relieve that hunger.”
He said the group still needs “more aid. We still need a lot more help,” which includes partnerships with the U.N. and NGOs.
The U.S. Agency for Infrastructure and Development has given $30 million to the GHF. Two sources who spoke to Reuters said the U.S. may approve $30 million per month in grants to the GHF in the future.
