US Sends $30M to Gaza Aid Group Despite Accusations of War Crimes

The Trump government has sanctioned a $30 million grant to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US and Israel-supported relief organization in Gaza following the UN expulsion. It follows amid international outcry by human rights organizations, which accuse the foundation and their allies of potentially facilitating war crimes.

At least a few civilians have perished during food distribution operations by GHF, and the group obtained the grant money from the US State Department in record time—skirting major audits and complaints. Simultaneously, hostilities rage on in Gaza, with Israel confirming the deaths of seven additional soldiers.

Grant Approved Amid Controversy

The US State Department has already released the initial tranche—$7 million—of the $30 million assistance package to GHF. The organization replaced the UN in distributing food in Gaza when Israel restricted the presence of the UN in the region. Since then, individuals have died in line at GHF distribution centers waiting to pick up food.

Nonetheless, the Trump administration expedited the grant. Usually, a first-time applicant to USAID is subject to a full audit. In this instance, officials skipped that step. A source explained to The Guardian that career staff had both ethical and technical concerns, but the funding proceeded anyway.

Exemption from Oversight Raises Concerns

In accordance with Reuters, the State Department issued an exemption to GHF from the normal USAID audit procedure. This was alarming, considering that the foundation has never made its finances public. The State Department declined to comment on internal discussions.

Nevertheless, it justified the move by stating it pursued “creative solutions” to distribute the aid in Gaza without allowing it to fall into Hamas’s control.

Human Rights Groups Demand Suspension

Fifteen human rights groups called on GHF to shut down. In a coordinated letter, the groups accused GHF and its collaborators—Safe Reach Solutions and UG Solutions—of potentially implicating themselves in grave international crimes.

The organizations threatened potential legal action, citing international law breaches such as war crimes and genocide.

War in Gaza Claims More Lives

As the funding war wages on, war rages on in Gaza. The Israeli military confirmed seven soldiers were killed in the southern Gaza Strip. They included five soldiers and one platoon commander from the same battalion. More than 430 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the war broke out with Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack in Israel. The first attack killed 1,219 individuals, who were predominantly civilians, AFP reports.

The US funding choice exacerbates the controversy surrounding private assistance in Gaza. With legal dangers escalating and civilian casualties on the rise, the destiny of GHF’s activities hangs in the balance.