UNITED NATIONS — Danny Danon, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, criticized what he described as a “shakedown” by the U.N. aimed at discouraging Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) from collaborating with the newly established U.S.-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

During a U.N. Security Council session on Wednesday, Danon accused the international organization of employing “threats, intimidation and retaliation” against NGOs that chose to ignore the U.N.’s call to boycott the GHF. He likened the U.N.’s treatment of NGOs working with GHF to that of a “mafia.”

“The U.N. unilaterally removed these NGOs from the central aid tracking system without any dialogue or proper procedure. This system tracks the delivery of aid into Gaza,” Danon stated to the Security Council. “This action severely breaches the U.N.’s own standards. It is effectively an extortion of well-meaning NGOs that choose not to comply.”

Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon issues a scathing letter in response to U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher ‘s remarks before the Security Council. (Getty Images)

In the same Security Council meeting, Acting U.S. Alternate Representative John Kelley urged the U.N. to work with GHF and Israel “to reach agreements on how to operationalize this system in a way that works for all.” Kelley also emphasized the need to ensure that Hamas cannot benefit from any humanitarian aid distribution system that is established. 

Earlier this month, Fletcher urged the international community not to “waste time” with a new plan when the U.N. already had one in place.

The IDF said that 121 trucks of aid from “the UN and the international community” crossed into Gaza on May 28, 2025. (IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)

On Wednesday, as Israel marked 600 days since the Oct. 7 massacre, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) noted that “121 trucks belonging to the U.N. and the international community” were allowed into the Gaza Strip. The IDF said that the trucks were carrying food and other aid.