Charities Call for Closure of US-Israeli Backed Gaza Aid Group Amidst Rising Casualties

Charities Demand Shutdown of US-Israeli Backed Gaza Aid Group

More than 130 charities and NGOs, including prominent organizations like Oxfam and Save the Children, are calling for the immediate closure of the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

Rising Casualties and Safety Concerns

Since the GHF began operating in late May, following a three-month blockade of Gaza, over 500 Palestinians have tragically lost their lives while desperately seeking aid. Nearly 4,000 others have been injured in the process. The aid organizations strongly condemn the GHF's operational practices, alleging that Israeli forces routinely open fire on vulnerable aid recipients.

Accusations and Denials

Israel vehemently denies these accusations, defending the GHF system as a means of providing direct assistance to those in need, while simultaneously bypassing potential Hamas interference. However, critics argue that the GHF forces two million people into overcrowded and heavily militarized zones, where they face the constant threat of gunfire and violence.

UN Criticism and Investigations

The United Nations, along with its various agencies, has also voiced significant criticism of the GHF. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has explicitly stated that the aid distribution system is "inherently unsafe." Furthermore, reports have emerged suggesting that Israeli soldiers were given orders to shoot at unarmed civilians near aid distribution sites, allegedly to disperse them. While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vehemently denied these allegations, the Israeli military has announced plans to reorganize access to the sites, including the implementation of new fencing and signage.

Call for a Humanitarian Solution

Despite these proposed changes, the coalition of 130-plus aid organizations remains steadfast in their belief that the GHF "is not a humanitarian response" for the suffering people of Gaza. Amidst the severe hunger and famine-like conditions, many families report being too weak to even compete for the meager food rations available.