A Palestinian woman carries a box as people seek aid supplies from the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), in the central Gaza Strip, Aug. 4, 2025. (Stringer/Reuters)

“People are visibly scared,” Fay said of the rumors and change in tempo. “They’re asking the same question we are: Why threaten the only operation feeding people at scale in Gaza?”

Hamas has attacked GHF sites previously. In July, two veterans employed by GHF were attacked with grenades of Iranian origin, which are commonly used by Hamas, while delivering aid.

Fay said that GHF has faced increased pressure on its sites since the Israel Defense Forces began their offensive against Gaza City. Fay says the organization has seen a 15%-20% increase in traffic at its sites over the past few days. “Many have never been to our sites before. They’re unfamiliar with our process, and that unfamiliarity is creating confusion. Not violence, but increased disorder.”

Gazans walk with boxes of humanitarian aid they received at a distribution center run by the U.S.- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). (Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty Images)

Fay called on international organizations and the United Nations to partner with GHF “so food reaches the people, not Hamas.” 

Currently, according to the U.N. Office for Project Services, 5,511 trucks of aid sent into Gaza have been intercepted since May 19. Only 938 trucks (14.5%) have arrived at their intended destinations in this period.

Since starting operations in May, GHF has distributed more than 161 million meals, including 1 million today, according to the group.