United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday made a grim warning regarding the US-funded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), labeling the new relief effort “inherently unsafe” and charging it with helping to kill civilians in the war-ravaged enclave.
“It is killing people,” Guterres said starkly at a press briefing, noting that the UN humanitarian system is being “strangled” and aid workers are fighting to stay alive too. He called for an immediate ceasefire, warning: “The search for food must never be a death sentence.”
The US and Israel have promoted the controversial GHF, but the UN has declined to cooperate with the organization due to reservations regarding its neutrality, the militarization of aid, and the forced removal of Palestinians.
Guterres stressed that as the occupying power, Israel has an international obligation to allow and facilitate the delivery of aid. Since Israel partially lifted its 11-week blockade on May 19, the UN says more than 400 Palestinians have been killed trying to reach food, some close to GHF distribution points.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry objected, asserting that its military “never targets civilians” and charged the UN with joining forces with Hamas by resisting GHF initiatives.
A GHF representative refuted any casualties at its facilities and condemned the UN stance: “Our aid is being distributed safely. Rather than casting stones, we invite the UN and others to join us in feeding Gaza’s people.
The GHF, initiated on May 26, works with private US security and logistics companies and reports that it has distributed over 48 million meals. The US State Department recently sanctioned $30 million in funding for the organization and urged other countries to contribute.
Hamas has been accused by both Israel and the US of siphoning aid from UN operations charges Hamas has made denials to.
