The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has announced its closure of operations in the besieged territory, citing a "failure" in its mission to deliver aid. But what exactly was the foundation's approach, and how did it fail those seeking assistance?
Since May, GHF was the sole distributor of aid in Gaza, with Israeli soldiers and American subcontractors killing nearly 3,000 Palestinians who tried to access food or medical supplies. The organization's model, which relied on private logistics and security firms, was widely criticized by humanitarian experts as a disaster.
Gaza health officials reported that doctors without borders described the GHF distribution points as "sites of orchestrated killing." Medical teams caring for nearly 900 patients wounded at the four GHF hubs suffered this dire situation.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification declared a famine in Gaza City in August, with at least 175 Palestinians dying of starvation within its first month. GHF did not expand operations beyond its four distribution sites, allowing thousands to travel long distances to access aid – only to face deadly queues and gunfire from Israeli forces or private contractors.
Critics argue that the GHF model was a symptom of the problem, rather than a solution, created by Israel's occupation of Gaza and its blockade on aid. The organization's chair, Johnnie Moore, an evangelical minister and former Trump administration advisor, defended the foundation's approach, stating that it would not abandon its NGO status but instead expand its operations with the Civil-Military Coordination Center in southern Israel.
Humanitarian experts warn that the GHF's tactics could be replicated by the Board of Peace, a proposed entity meant to govern Gaza's rebuilding under Trump's 20-point plan. This plan excludes Palestinian voices and ignores previous UN resolutions calling for an end to occupation.
Aid groups are concerned that this model normalizes private logistics and security firms managing humanitarian aid to turn a profit. They fear it could lead to further exploitation of desperate populations in conflict zones across the world.
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, aid groups are calling on those with influence to support their efforts and protect the integrity of humanitarian work.
Since May, GHF was the sole distributor of aid in Gaza, with Israeli soldiers and American subcontractors killing nearly 3,000 Palestinians who tried to access food or medical supplies. The organization's model, which relied on private logistics and security firms, was widely criticized by humanitarian experts as a disaster.
Gaza health officials reported that doctors without borders described the GHF distribution points as "sites of orchestrated killing." Medical teams caring for nearly 900 patients wounded at the four GHF hubs suffered this dire situation.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification declared a famine in Gaza City in August, with at least 175 Palestinians dying of starvation within its first month. GHF did not expand operations beyond its four distribution sites, allowing thousands to travel long distances to access aid – only to face deadly queues and gunfire from Israeli forces or private contractors.
Critics argue that the GHF model was a symptom of the problem, rather than a solution, created by Israel's occupation of Gaza and its blockade on aid. The organization's chair, Johnnie Moore, an evangelical minister and former Trump administration advisor, defended the foundation's approach, stating that it would not abandon its NGO status but instead expand its operations with the Civil-Military Coordination Center in southern Israel.
Humanitarian experts warn that the GHF's tactics could be replicated by the Board of Peace, a proposed entity meant to govern Gaza's rebuilding under Trump's 20-point plan. This plan excludes Palestinian voices and ignores previous UN resolutions calling for an end to occupation.
Aid groups are concerned that this model normalizes private logistics and security firms managing humanitarian aid to turn a profit. They fear it could lead to further exploitation of desperate populations in conflict zones across the world.
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, aid groups are calling on those with influence to support their efforts and protect the integrity of humanitarian work.
. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's closure is a huge red flag for me. I mean, can you imagine having to travel long distances just to get some food or medical supplies? It's like they're intentionally making people wait for their aid to arrive. 
. That's got me questioning the whole thing from the start. I feel like we're just pouring money into a system that's more about profit than people.
i mean seriously who needs aid when u have a good slice of pizza? anyway back 2 gaza i feel so bad 4 those ppl living under siege, no wonder they need help ASAP. but what's up with this ghf model tho? it sounds like a recipe 4 disaster 
& now its closed due 2 failure 
wut r we gonna do instead? maybe we cud try something new like... pizza delivery 4 all! just kidding, sorta 
. They're trying to blame the system for not working, but let's be real, the whole situation is messed up 
. I mean, 3,000 Palestinians getting killed just trying to access food or medical supplies? That's just insane 
. Like, what even is that supposed to accomplish? It just sounds like more of the same old mess 
.
. It's just another way for the powerful to exploit the vulnerable and ignore the voices of the oppressed 
. We need to support these aid groups and protect the integrity of humanitarian work, or else we're gonna keep seeing more suffering in places like Gaza 
.
Gaza ppl are dyin 4 food & water over here & its gettin hella sad
& its not like the ghf was alone in trying 2 help or watever 
.
. I mean, what kind of system allows aid workers to be killed or injured while trying to help people? It's just not right.
. We need to support aid groups and hold those in power accountable for their actions. It's time for some real change, folks 
.
the whole system is broken, it's all about profits over people, no wonder aid groups are sounding the alarm, gotta make a change ASAP 
. It's all about who's in control of Gaza, you know? Israel's blockade is a major issue here 
. We need more orgs like Doctors Without Borders doing humanitarian work, not ones that prioritize profits over ppl 
. Like, isn't the point of humanitarian organizations to help people in need? Not to create more problems?
. And now they're just closing up shop, leaving even more people without help? Not great timing, GHF 
. We need aid groups that actually listen to the people in need and don't get caught up in their own bureaucratic red tape.
its not like ghf did everything wrong, we can learn from their mistakes and try 2 do better next time... and what's with the board of peace tho? seems like a recipe for disaster 
i just wish there were more ppl willing to support aid groups and help those in need 
92% of patients wounded at these hubs suffered from extreme trauma, & 75% had severe amputations! 
60% of Gazans rely on humanitarian aid for their survival.
75% of aid is wasted due to bureaucratic red tape.
this is super disappointing - can't believe an org like GHF failed so badly... 