US-Backed Humanitarian Foundation Halts Operations in Gaza After Controversy

Fri Dec 05 2025 12:19:49 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), supported by the US and Israel, has announced it is ceasing its aid operations following a tumultuous six-month period marked by safety concerns and high casualties among needy Palestinians.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), backed by the US and Israel, has decided to wind down its aid operations after six months of activity in Gaza amidst swirling controversy. The foundation, which had aimed to provide food aid while bypassing the UN, was criticized for its operations which led to many casualties. Following a recent ceasefire, GHF claims to have successfully completed its mission, delivering millions of food packages while facing accusations of mishandling aid distribution.

The controversial, US and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) says it is winding down its aid operations in the Palestinian territory, after almost six months.

The organisation had already suspended its three food distribution sites in Gaza after the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took effect six weeks ago.

The GHF aimed to bypass the UN as the main supplier of aid to Gaza's population. UN and other aid agencies refused to co-operate with its system, saying it was unethical and unsafe.

Hundreds of Palestinians were killed while seeking food amid chaotic scenes near GHF's sites, mostly by Israeli fire, according to the UN. Israel said its troops fired warning shots.

The GHF said on Monday that it was winding down operations now because of the 'successful completion of its emergency mission', with a total of three million packages containing the equivalent of more than 187 million meals delivered to Palestinians.

The GHF's executive director, Jon Acree, also said the US-led Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) would be 'adopting and expanding the model GHF piloted'.

US state department spokesperson Tommy Piggott wrote on X: 'GHF's model, in which Hamas could no longer loot and profit from stealing aid, played a huge role in getting Hamas to the table and achieving a ceasefire.'

Hamas welcomed the closure of the GHF, stating that it should be held accountable for the harm it caused to Palestinians. A Hamas spokesman urged international human rights organizations to ensure accountability.

The GHF began operations in Gaza on May 26, a week after Israel eased its blockade, which had caused significant shortages of supplies. Three months later, a famine was declared in Gaza City.

The GHF's distribution sites were located inside Israeli military zones and operated by US private security contractors. The UN and partners said the operation contravened humanitarian principles and was inherently unsafe.

The UN reported at least 859 Palestinians were killed seeking food near GHF sites between May and July, mostly by the Israeli military, while Israel claimed it had fired warning shots at perceived threats.

The future of the GHF operations was uncertain following the ceasefire, and it was said that aid distribution would continue independently through the UN and other international organizations. The UN confirmed that GHF's shutdown would have 'no impact' on its operations, as they had not collaborated with GHF.

While more aid is now reaching Gaza since the ceasefire, it is still insufficient to meet the needs of its 2.1 million population.