Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aims to feed 1 million amid aid chaos and criticism

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has initiated limited aid deliveries into Gaza amid a severe humanitarian crisis caused by Israel's three-month blockade.

The GHF aims to feed 1 million people by the end of this week, but its approach has sparked widespread criticism. Unlike the previous UN-led network that operated about 400 distribution sites, the GHF has established only four "mega-sites" to serve Gaza's 2.3 million residents, raising concerns about accessibility and efficiency.

Humanitarian groups have condemned the GHF's process as politicized and potentially violating international law. The UN Human Rights Office reported that 47 people were injured when crowds overwhelmed a GHF aid center in Rafah, with Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry confirming one death and 48 injuries. The chaotic scenes highlight the desperation caused by the blockade.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification report states that 1.95 million people, or 93% of Gaza's population, face acute food shortages. The UN has warned of catastrophic hunger levels after nearly three months of blockade, which was only recently eased.

The GHF's aid distribution bypasses the UN system and employs US security contractors, a move the UN has rejected as unethical and unworkable. This new model has intensified tensions amid the ongoing crisis.

As the blockade continues, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with aid efforts mired in controversy and logistical challenges, underscoring the urgent need for effective and impartial assistance.

"What happened today in Rafah is a deliberate massacre and a full-fledged war crime, committed in cold blood against civilians weakened by over 90 days of siege-induced starvation," a humanitarian group stated, reflecting the gravity of the situation.

The GHF's controversial role and the resulting violence at aid sites reveal the complexities of delivering humanitarian aid in conflict zones under political and security constraints.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has begun limited aid distribution amid Israel’s three-month siege, aiming to feed 1 million people. However, the effort faces criticism from humanitarian groups and the UN, citing politicization, limited distribution sites, and deadly chaos at aid centers in Gaza’s dire food crisis.