Gaza Humanitarian Foundation

Gaza Humanitarian Foundation
AbbreviationGHF
FormationFebruary 2025
TypeNonprofit organization
Legal statusActive
PurposeFood security
HeadquartersDelaware, United States
Region
Gaza Strip
Executive chairman
Johnnie Moore Jr.
Executive director
John Acree (interim)

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) is an American organization, based in Delaware, established in February 2025 to distribute humanitarian aid during the ongoing Gaza humanitarian crisis.[1] Formerly led by executive director Jake Wood until his resignation on May 25, 2025, it has the backing of the Trump administration and the Israeli government. It has been criticised by the United Nations and humanitarian groups for politicizing aid distribution, with well-established humanitarian groups saying the GHF is giving cover for Israel to pursue its aims to depopulate Palestinians from Gaza, and its former head questioning the group's impartiality and neutrality upon his resignation.[2][3]

As of June 14, 2025, more than 274 Palestinians have been killed by Israel while seeking aid from GHF sites.[4][5] Survivors of the repeated mass killings perpetrated at the distribution sites have begun to refer to the Israeli-backed operation as traps or death traps rather than aid.[6][7]

Background

Since the start of the Gaza war, at least 52,700 Palestinians have been killed.[8][9][10] Due to Israeli checkpoints into Gaza, the Israeli government and IDF have controlled the entrance of humanitarian aid into Gaza, with aid delivery disrupted multiple times over the years, either via Israeli government blockades or Israeli civilian actions.[11] Since March 2, 2025, very little humanitarian aid has been allowed into Gaza, with concerns about famine in Gaza being raised by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC).[8][12][13]

According to a report by The New York Times, the idea of an Israeli-backed private food distribution program was discussed in December 2023. Throughout 2024, Israeli officials worked with private American security contractors, primarily CIA veteran Philip Reilly, to develop a plan. Reilly later launched the security company Safe Reach Solutions (SRS) in January 2025, which was tasked with securing food distribution sites in Gaza.[14]

Organization

Jake Wood, the initial executive director,[15] is a former US marine and co-founder of disaster relief agency Team Rubicon.[16] The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation was registered in February 2025 in Delaware with a contingency filing in Geneva that was being wound down.[17][18] It has not released information on its funding sources.[14] Former CEO of World Central Kitchen Nate Mook was described as a board member on early GHF documents, but has stated that he is not on the board.[16]

The plan would use a small number of distribution hubs, mostly in southern Gaza, secured by the Israeli military and private US-based contractors,[16] without the aid of IDF members.[19] The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee indicated to reporters that IDF troops will be stationed "at a distance" from the hubs for additional protection.[19] The plan is similar to earlier plans by the Israeli military, and contrasts with models by the UN and other international agencies which involve hundreds of smaller distribution points throughout the Gaza strip.[16]

Aid officials said they will screen people for involvement with Hamas militants, perhaps using facial recognition or biometric technology.[20]

The stations would distribute aid only once or twice a month at specific locations, with aid being described as pre-packaged rations, hygiene kits, and medical supplies. Their proposal indicates that each meal was budgeted around $1.30 which would include procurement and distribution costs.[19]

Executive director Jake Wood asserted that he "unequivocally ... will not be part of anything that forcibly dislocates or displaces the Palestinian population."[21]

In June 2025, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) terminated its contract with the GHF. BCG helped create the GHF in coordination with Israel and was responsible for setting prices for contractors. BCG said that the work was done "pro bono" but The Washington Post reported that BCG submitted invoices of over $1 million per month.[22] BCG fired two senior partners, calling the work they oversaw for GHF "unauthorized".[23]

Executive director transition

On May 25, 2025, Wood announced that he was stepping down because it was impossible to meet the foundation's objectives while "strictly adhering to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, which I will not abandon."[24] He also called on Israel to allow significantly more aid to enter Gaza through all pathways and for such aid to be allowed in without diversion or discrimination, while also calling on Hamas to release the hostages.[25] The GHF said its operations would begin without Wood, and that it would be feeding more than one million Palestinians within a week.[17] As of June 12, former USAID official John Acree serves as interim director.[26][27]

On June 3, American evangelical leader and businessman Johnnie Moore Jr. was appointed Executive Chairman of GHF.[28]

Operations

Further information: Rafah aid distribution incidents

The Foundation began operations May 26, 2025 at a new distribution centre in Rafah.[29] By the end of its first day of operations, GHF reported that it had distributed 8,000 food boxes, estimated to feed 44,000 people for half a week — covering only about 2% of Gaza’s population.[30] On June 12, it reported a daily distribution of 2.6 million meals, the highest daily output since the start of its operations.[31]

Program characteristics

The program – known as the "Humanitarian Aid Distribution Program in the Gaza Strip" – is a joint American-Israeli program by the GHF[32] designed to facilitate the entry and distribution of humanitarian aid (such as food, medicine, and supplies) to the civilian population in the Gaza Strip, in response to the 11 week blockade of food entry into Gaza imposed by Israel.[32] The program began operating on May 26, 2025.

Four distribution centers have been built. Three of them in the Tel al-Sultan refugee camp[32] near the Morag Corridor that separates Rafah and Khan Yunis and one of them on the Netzarim Corridor at the center of the Gaza Strip.[33]

The facilities are secured by American contractors and monitored by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from a distance. GHF has pledged not to share any personally identifiable information about aid recipients with Israeli authorities.[33]

The assistance primarily includes food packages, drinking water, medicine, and tents.[33] However, a June 13 report on Devex says that it does not provide fuel, water, sanitation, shelter, or health care.[34]

Since 27 May 2025, hundreds of Palestinians have been killed and wounded by mostly Israeli gunfire as they approached a newly established aid distribution site in Rafah in the Gaza Strip, operated by the United States-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). The incidents began taking place on the first day of the GHF's operations, following an 11-week Israeli blockade since early March 2025 that had severely restricted humanitarian aid to Gaza, exacerbating the Gaza humanitarian crisis.[35][36][37] According to the Gaza Health Ministry, over 200 Palestinians have been killed while trying to reach aid distribution areas.[38]

On June 12, 2025, the GHF reported that a bus carrying about two dozen Palestinian GHF workers was attacked by Hamas, killing at least 8 and causing multiple injuries.[31][39] Hamas said that they had killed 12 members of the Israeli-backed Popular Forces militia.[40]

Responses

The operation has been criticized for "[distracting] from what is actually needed" by a UN spokesman.[32] The UN and many other aid groups refuse to cooperate with the GHF and accuse them of "[weaponising] aid".[32][41]

These groups have raised concerns about the exclusion of those with mobility issues, an increase of displacement, the exposure of thousands of people to harm and that the aid will be conditional on political and military aims, which could set an "unacceptable" precedent for aid delivery around the world.[32][42]

The aid boxes also weigh 20 kg and must be carried by hand, which potentially excludes weak and injured people.[41]

Israel claims that an alternative distribution pathway to the one of the UN is needed since Hamas allegedly steals aid, which the group has denied.[32] UN officials have also said the looting of Gaza aid has nothing to do with Hamas,[43] and aid workers have stated that looting is instead being performed by Palestinian militias supported and armed by Israel.[44][45]

The program has also been criticized for their attempt to subvert the UN pathway and Switzerland is currently investigating GHF.[46][47]

The United Nations aid chief Tom Fletcher, raised doubts about the humanitarian aspect of the foundation and concerns about Israel's involvement and intentions. Fletcher called the foundation a "fig leaf for further violence and displacement" for Palestinians in Gaza and a "deliberate distraction" to the ongoing issues within Gaza due to the war.[8] Fletcher said that the plan makes aid conditional on Israel's political and military aims, and "makes starvation a bargaining chip". Executive director Jake Wood said that it is the only aid model with the approval of Israel. A UN official accused GHF of "weaponizing aid". A UNICEF spokesperson said of the GHF after repeated mass shooting of starving Palestinians at distribution sites that, "These are not humanitarians, they are people with guns."[48]

The GHF plan is backed by the Trump administration.[16] European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned the GHF plan, stating that "humanitarian aid cannot be weaponized" and that most of the aid sent by Europe to Gaza is "behind the borders and is not reaching people."[49]

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid suggested that the GHF and the American Safe Reach Solutions (SRS) are shell companies used to hide Israeli government funding.[50][51]

TRIAL International, a Swiss NGO which supports victims of war crimes, asked the Swiss government to investigate whether GHF's aid plan complied with Swiss and international humanitarian law. TRIAL said the GHF's plan was not neutral and would result in forced displacement of Gazans. GHF is a registered non-profit in Switzerland and Delaware.[52][53] GHF said it would move all its operations to the United States after the Swiss government said it was not in compliance with rules for foundations registered in Switzerland. GHF said its "Swiss entity was created as a contingency; is not operational; and is being wound down".[18]

References

  1. ^ Knell, Yolande; Foulkes, Imogen (9 May 2025). "US confirms plan for private firms to deliver Gaza aid despite UN alarm". BBC. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
  2. ^ "UN demands probe as Israeli forces kill 3 more people near Gaza aid site". Al Jazeera. 2 June 2025. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  3. ^ "Israel kills 32 Palestinians waiting for food at US-backed Gaza aid sites". Al Jazeera. 1 June 2025. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  4. ^ "Israel opens fire on Palestinians seeking aid, as UN warns of relief obstruction". Middle Easy Eye. 14 June 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  5. ^ Usher, Sebastian; Gritten, David (12 June 2025). "Gaza: Dozens killed while seeking aid in Gaza, hospitals say". BBC News. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  6. ^ "At least four killed by Israeli fire near Gaza food point, officials say". The Guardian. 8 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  7. ^ "'These are traps set for the people': the story of a mother shot dead searching for food in Gaza". The Guardian. 7 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  8. ^ a b c Nichols, Michelle (14 March 2025). "UN humanitarian chief slams aid plan for Gaza proposed by Israel, backed by US". Reuters. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  9. ^ "51 deaths reported in Gaza from Israeli strikes, bringing the war's Palestinian toll to over 52,000". AP News. 27 April 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  10. ^ Tanno, Sophie (9 January 2025). "Gaza death toll has been significantly underreported, study finds". CNN. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  11. ^ ברוך, חזקי. "מאות ניסו למנוע סיוע לעזה וחסמו את נמל אשדוד". ערוץ 7 (in Hebrew). Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  12. ^ "Gaza population faces critical risk of famine, global hunger monitor says". Reuters. 12 May 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  13. ^ Shih, Gerry; Brown, Cate; Parker, Claire; DeYoung, Karen (23 May 2025). "Sweeping overhaul of Gaza aid raises questions of morality and workability". Washington Post.
  14. ^ a b Kingsley, Patrick; Bergman, Ronen; Odenheimer, Natan (24 May 2025). "New Gaza Aid Plan, Bypassing U.N. and Billed as Neutral, Originated in Israel". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  15. ^ Akkad, Dania (8 May 2025). "Israel's controversial aid plan for Gaza revealed in new document". Middle East Eye.
  16. ^ a b c d e Srivastava, Mehul; Zilber, Neri; Sheppard, David (21 May 2025). "The little-known group poised to take over Gaza's aid". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 21 May 2025. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  17. ^ a b Kingsley, Patrick; Young, Jin Yu (26 May 2025). "Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Head, Jake Wood, Resigns". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  18. ^ a b Ott, Haley (29 May 2025). "Controversial U.S.-backed Gaza aid group breaching rules for foundations registered in Switzerland, Swiss authorities say". CBS News. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  19. ^ a b c Masurier, Jessica; Banjo, Damilola; Leimbach, Dulcie (12 May 2025). "'Weaponising aid': New plan calls for private contractors to take over from UN in Gaza". France 24. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  20. ^ "Israeli-backed logistics group says Gaza operations have begun after its director resigned". The Guardian. 27 May 2025. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  21. ^ Diamond, Jeremy (16 May 2025). "Head of controversial new Gaza aid group says he won't be part of displacing Palestinians, urges UN to participate in plan". CNN. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  22. ^ DeYoung, Karen; Brown, Cate (3 June 2025). "U.S. consulting firm quits Gaza humanitarian aid effort amid criticism". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 3 June 2025. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  23. ^ John Hudson; Cate Brown (6 June 2025). "Boston Consulting Group CEO apologizes for Israeli-backed Gaza aid project". The Washington Post.
  24. ^ Jeong, Andrew (25 May 2025). "Gaza Humanitarian Foundation head resigns, casting more doubt on aid plan". The Washington Post.
  25. ^ "Gaza Humanitarian Foundation head quits, 'not possible to implement this plan'". Jewish News Syndicate. 25 May 2025. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  26. ^ Gritten, David (27 May 2025). "Controversial US-backed group says it has begun aid distribution in Gaza". BBC News. Retrieved 12 June 2025. John Acree, a former senior manager at USAID - the US government agency responsible for administering foreign aid - has been named interim executive director.
  27. ^ "US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation says 8 aid workers killed in attack". Al Jazeera. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025. GHF's interim director, John Acree, said his organisation had considered closing its centres on Thursday after the bus attack but opted to remain open.
  28. ^ "GHF names Rev. Dr. Johnnie Moore as Executive Chairman amid expanding aid efforts". Jerusalem Post. 3 June 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  29. ^ Magid, Jacob (26 May 2025). "Gaza Humanitarian Foundation says it began aid distribution today". Times of Israel.
  30. ^ Graham-Harrison, Emma (27 May 2025). "Israeli troops open fire as aid group loses control of distribution centre". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  31. ^ a b Balmer, Crispian; Al-Mughrabi, Nidal (12 June 2025). "Humanitarian workers killed in Gaza ambush blamed on Hamas; internet cut in territory". Reuters. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  32. ^ a b c d e f g Gritten, David (27 May 2025). "Controversial US-backed group says it has begun aid distribution in Gaza". BBC Home. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  33. ^ a b c Blumenthal, Itay; Gili Cohen (26 May 2025). "Distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza has begun: This is how it will work". Kan News.
  34. ^ Murphy, Helen (13 June 2025). "Critics say Gaza aid hub fails to meet urgent needs". Devex Newswire. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  35. ^ Cheeseman, Abbie; Rubin, Shira; DeYoung, Karen; Wiener, Aaron; Bisset, Victoria (28 May 2025). "Dozens injured by gunshots amid chaos at Gaza aid hub, U.N. says". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  36. ^ "'Deliberate massacre' in Gaza as starving Palestinians seek Israeli-US aid". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  37. ^ "Gaza: Crowds storm US-backed group's new aid distribution centre". BBC News. 27 May 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  38. ^ Gritten, David; Usher, Sebastian (12 June 2025). "Dozens of Palestinians killed while seeking aid in Gaza, hospitals say". BBC News. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  39. ^ "US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation says 8 aid workers killed in attack". Al Jazeera. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  40. ^ "Hamas says it killed 12 Israeli-backed fighters. Israeli-supported group says they were aid workers". PBS News. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  41. ^ a b Graham-Harrison, Emma (17 May 2025). "Israel-backed food aid group admits it won't be able to reach most vulnerable in Gaza". the Guardian. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  42. ^ "US-Israel scheme dispenses Gaza aid as UN says 180,000 displaced in 10 days". Al Jazeera. 27 May 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  43. ^ "Cindy McCain says famine in Gaza has 'nothing to do with Hamas'". Middle East Eye. 26 May 2025. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
  44. ^ "Hamas has killed 50 Palestinian fighters armed by Israel in Gaza, faction's associates say". The Guardian. 11 June 2025. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
  45. ^ "Israel accused of arming Palestinian gang who allegedly looted aid in Gaza". The Guardian. 5 June 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  46. ^ "Schweiz prüft Verfahren gegen von den USA unterstützte Organisation GHF". Die Nachrichten (in German). 25 May 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  47. ^ Hondl, Kathrin (27 May 2025). "Gaza Humanitarian Foundation". tagesschau.de (in German). Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  48. ^ "Starving Palestinians fear being shot dead for a bag of lentils as Gaza aid points close". The Independent. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
  49. ^ Francis, Ellen; Ríos, Beatriz (30 May 2025). "Europe's leaders are scolding Israel over Gaza, but will they go further?". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  50. ^ Sokol, Sam; Freiberg, Nava (26 May 2025). "Lapid suggests Israel funding foreign 'shell companies' distributing Gaza aid; PM spokesperson denies". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  51. ^ "Lapid accuses gov't of funding aid to Gaza through Qatari companies". i24NEWS. 26 May 2025. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  52. ^ Le Poidevin, Olivia (25 May 2025). "Swiss Authorities Exploring Probe Into US-Backed Gaza Aid Group". USNews. Reuters. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
  53. ^ Rubin, Shira; Cheeseman, Abbie; DeYoung, Karen; Wiener, Aaron; Bisset, Victoria; Ledur, Júlia; Shapiro, Leslie (26 May 2025). "Deadly strikes hit Gaza as new aid group says it has begun distributing food". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 26 May 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
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