US Backs Gaza Humanitarian Foundation with $30 Million Grant
The United States government has authorized a significant $30 million grant to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an aid organization that has sparked controversy amid escalating tensions in Gaza. This decision comes despite calls from human rights groups urging for the suspension of the foundation’s operations due to serious ethical and legal concerns.
Rapid Approval Raises Eyebrows
Sources familiar with the process disclosed that the grant application was expedited unusually quickly through the State Department. Typically, new applicants for USAID funding — especially those without prior experience — are required to undergo stringent financial audits before approval. However, GHF, which emerged as a key actor after the United Nations was barred from Gaza, bypassed the standard audit procedure.
According to inside reports, the grant's swift progression came despite technical and ethical objections from career officials. The State Department, however, declined to comment on internal discussions, emphasizing a commitment to finding creative ways to deliver aid without it being seized by Hamas. They noted that GHF has played an essential role in this effort.
Controversy Surrounding GHF
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, supported by both US and Israeli funding, stepped in to provide critical food and supplies following the UN's exit from the region. But the group has drawn intense scrutiny after multiple tragic incidents, including fatalities at their food distribution points, underscoring the precarious humanitarian situation.
Human rights organizations have escalated their demands, warning that GHF and its affiliated entities, Safe Reach Solutions and UG Solutions, may be complicit in violations of international law. In formal correspondence, these groups have accused the aid contractors of potentially aiding war crimes, crimes against humanity, or even genocide, given their collaboration with the Israeli government in a conflict zone.
Consequences of the Gaza Conflict
The funding decision for GHF comes amidst a brutal conflict in Gaza that continues to claim lives on both sides. Recently, Israel’s military announced the deaths of seven soldiers during combat operations in southern Gaza. These losses add to the grim toll exceeding 430 Israeli soldiers killed since the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023.
Deaths among civilians have also been staggering, with over 1,200 people reported killed, according to aggregated official figures.
Looking Ahead
The US government's approval of funds for GHF signals a complex balancing act—prioritizing urgent aid delivery while facing accusations of enabling potentially unlawful practices in an active war zone. As conditions worsen, the international community remains deeply divided on how best to manage humanitarian relief without inadvertently fueling the conflict.
