Over 170 charities and NGOs are demanding the shutdown of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a controversial aid distribution scheme backed by the US and Israel. The GHF has been accused of putting civilians at risk, with over 500 Palestinians killed while seeking aid since its operation began in May.
Critics argue that Israeli forces “routinely” open fire on Palestinians waiting to collect humanitarian aid, violating norms of humanitarian work. The GHF’s system, which provides direct assistance to people bypassing Hamas interference, has been widely criticized as militarizing aid and forcing families into overcrowded zones with daily gunfire.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has described the GHF’s aid distribution system as “inherently unsafe” and said it is killing people. The Israeli military has denied allegations of deliberately firing at Palestinians, but reports have emerged that soldiers were ordered to shoot at unarmed civilians near aid distribution sites.
The NGOs claim that the GHF’s system is not a humanitarian response for Gazans, who are facing severe hunger and famine-like conditions. With the US and Israel backing the organization, critics argue that this undermines efforts to provide genuine aid to those in need.
As the death toll in Gaza continues to rise, with at least 56,647 people killed since October, the call for the shutdown of the GHF is growing louder.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn5kk1w00xyo