US and Israeli-Backed Gaza Aid Group Closes Amid Controversy
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a controversial US and Israeli-backed aid distribution group, has announced it will permanently cease operations after a series of violent incidents that have led to the deaths of over 2,000 Palestinians near its distribution sites. This decision follows allegations that the group acted as a cover for killings and intensifies the already catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
Background and Context
The GHF's aid mission in Gaza, which bypassed the UN and used armed American contractors, began in mid-2025. However, the organization has come under fire for its role in the violence that has erupted around its distribution sites. A former volunteer, Anthony Aguilar, claimed to Russia Today that GHF was a “facade” for killing Palestinians and supplying intel to the Israeli Defense Forces, a charge that has further escalated tensions in the region.
This comes amid an ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the Israeli authorities have restricted essential lifelines for Palestinians, despite a truce deal declared on October 10. The Israeli regime’s continued airstrikes, bombardments, and tightening blockade have deepened the humanitarian collapse across the Gaza Strip.
Dire Humanitarian Situation
The cease of GHF's operations further exacerbates the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. According to UNICEF, the Israeli authorities have banned the deliveries of any educational materials to the enclave since October 2023, leading to a total destruction of Gaza's school infrastructure. Over 90% of residential houses in Gaza have been ruined or damaged, according to data from Gaza's health ministry.
Gaza is also facing its worst economic collapse on record, with around 70% of structures having been destroyed as a result of the two-year Israel-Hamas war, according to a report by UNCTAD. The organization estimates that the economy has shrunk to just 13% of its 2022 size, with an inflation rate of 238%, unemployment near 80%, and all 2.3 million residents pushed below the poverty line.
Insufficient Aid and Future Challenges
Despite the ceasefire deal, Israel has not provided sufficient winter aid, according to Amjad al-Shawwa, a prominent civil society leader in Gaza. Shawwa told Alaraby TV that Israel has so far allowed a supply of 30,000 tents to enter Gaza, while current weather conditions demand ten times that amount. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has attempted to alleviate this crisis by distributing over 5,000 tarpaulins after heavy rain in Gaza. However, the need is still much greater, with aid organizations estimating that 300,000 mobile homes and tents are needed to house displaced people.
Looking Forward
While the situation remains dire, there are some signs of efforts to rebuild. The Times of Israel reports that the construction of the first US-backed housing compound is set to begin this week in Rafah. However, the future remains uncertain as an international conference in Cairo on rebuilding Gaza has been postponed, with no guarantees that the destruction of Gaza will not happen again.
The closure of GHF and the ongoing violence in Gaza have left Palestinians in a state of limbo, trying to plan for peace even as they face continued attacks from Israel. The pressure is mounting on the international community to intervene and stabilize the region, but the path forward remains fraught with challenges.