A Gaza aid group backed by the US administration has paused operations after dozens of Palestinians were shot dead while trying to collect food from its militarized checkpoints. The group, which was established just two weeks ago, has faced criticism from humanitarian organizations over its closeness with Israel and its operating model.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which received funding from the Trump administration, had touted its distribution sites as a way to prevent theft while getting food to Palestinians. However, its militarized aid model has put civilians in harm’s way, according to critics.
On June 1, medics received 179 wounded people, of whom 21 were dead on arrival, at a field hospital operated by the International Committee of the Red Cross. Another 184 wounded arrived on June 3, with 19 declared dead on arrival and eight more dying from their wounds shortly after.
The group’s president, Jeremy Konyndyk, said that every day, Palestinians are risking their lives to reach the aid distribution sites, which he described as a “very predictable risk” due to the group’s operating model. The US ambassador to Israel has defended the group’s actions, blaming Hamas for spreading rumors and fake news about its soldiers.
However, humanitarian organizations have raised concerns over the group’s ties with Israel and its lack of transparency. The World Food Program and other aid organizations have disputed Israeli claims that starving people are raiding aid trucks and warehouses amid the mass food shortage.
The US has stood behind its ally, Israel, despite criticism from the international community. The UN Secretary-General has called for an independent investigation into the shootings, which he described as “unacceptable” that Palestinians are risking their lives for food.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2025/06/04/gaza-aid-sites-close-security-shootings/83994513007