Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Suspends Aid Operations Amid Deadly Shootings
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and Recent Closures
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.- and Israeli-backed organization tasked with distributing aid in Gaza, has suspended operations at all its distribution sites until further notice, citing safety concerns following a series of deadly shootings near its facilities. The group, which began providing meals to Palestinians facing severe hunger in late May 2025, announced the closure on June 6, 2025, urging residents to avoid the sites for their safety. This decision follows a brief reopening of two southern Gaza sites on June 5, after a one-day pause prompted by shootings that killed dozens of Palestinians near its Rafah distribution center over three consecutive days (June 1–3). The GHF, which operates four hubs primarily in southern Gaza, has faced significant criticism from humanitarian organizations, including the United Nations, for its alleged lack of neutrality due to its close coordination with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and its use of armed American contractors. The group denies these claims, asserting that its operations within site perimeters have been safe and incident-free, while attributing external violence to the IDF’s responsibility.
The shootings have been contentious, with conflicting accounts of responsibility. On Sunday and Monday, the IDF claimed it fired only warning shots near the Rafah site to manage crowds. On Tuesday, it acknowledged firing at individuals it deemed threats for deviating from designated routes, though it denied targeting civilians directly. However, Palestinian authorities, eyewitnesses, and a CNN investigation analyzing footage from Sunday’s incident reported that Israeli troops fired into crowds, resulting in at least
