US Pressures UN and Aid Groups to Back Controversial Gaza Aid Partner Despite Mounting Death Toll
July 10, 2025 – Washington, DC
The United States has called on the United Nations and international aid organizations to support the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) — a newly formed American aid group working in close coordination with the Israeli military — despite widespread criticism over deadly incidents at its distribution points.
During a press briefing, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce praised GHF’s operations, claiming it had successfully distributed 69 million meals across four sites while preventing food seizures by Hamas.
“This is an impressive achievement that deserves support, not resistance,” Bruce said, urging global aid agencies and the UN to join the effort.
She added that GHF’s approach aligns with President Donald Trump’s strategy for implementing “creative regional solutions” in conflict zones.
However, Palestinian health authorities report a much darker picture: since late May, over 700 Palestinians have been killed and around 5,000 injured while attempting to access food at aid distribution points, which many now describe as “death traps.”
International Condemnation Mounts
Critics argue that the U.S.- and Israeli-backed aid initiative bypasses standard UN-led humanitarian coordination, undermines neutrality, and endangers civilians. Humanitarian organizations — including UNRWA, Doctors Without Borders, Oxfam, and Amnesty International — have refused to cooperate with GHF, citing violations of basic humanitarian standards.
In a joint statement, over 170 aid groups demanded the immediate dismantling of GHF operations and the restoration of UN-managed aid systems, calling the current scheme “a disaster costing more lives than it saves.”
Even as GHF acknowledged reports of deadly incidents, it maintained that the violence occurred outside its direct control, despite its acknowledged coordination with Israeli forces.
Two former UN special rapporteurs, Richard Falk and Hilal Elver, went as far as labeling the GHF-led operations and associated deaths as “war crimes” and “crimes against humanity.”
Political Stakes and Truce Talks
The controversy over GHF has also become a key obstacle in negotiations for a U.S.-brokered 60-day ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, currently underway in Qatar. While U.S. officials have expressed optimism, Hamas has stated that talks remain difficult due to Israel’s hardline stance on aid delivery and troop withdrawal.
Hamas has reportedly agreed to release 10 Israeli hostages as part of a phased deal, but insists on conditions that include unrestricted humanitarian aid, Israeli military withdrawal, and binding guarantees for a lasting peace.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar confirmed progress in proximity talks but acknowledged that resolving the full list of concerns could take “a few more days.”
