Gaza humanitarian foundation seeks $30 million from U.S. amid crisis

In recent weeks, a U.S.-led group has requested initial funding of $30 million from the Trump administration to maintain its controversial aid distribution efforts in Gaza. This appeal, made by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, comes as the territory faces severe humanitarian crises due to ongoing military operations and blockades by Israel. Since late May, the Foundation has reportedly provided millions of meals to Palestinians, with major humanitarian organizations expressing concerns over potential collaborations with Israeli strategic objectives in the ongoing conflict against Hamas, claiming it could violate humanitarian principles. The application for funds was submitted to the U.S. Agency for International Development amid rumors of the agency's absorption into the State Department, a move expected to lead to significant reductions in foreign aid. Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's secretary, Loik Henderson, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to pursue this funding in a letter accompanying their application. However, the State Department has clarified that the U.S. is not currently funding this operation, raising suspicions regarding how the initiative is being financed. Israel asserts that the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation plays a pivotal role in a new aid system designed to reduce the United Nations' influence and redirect aid distribution to control the movement of over 2 million Palestinians in the south of Gaza. Many aid workers fear this system aligns with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's broader strategy to achieve voluntary migrations of Palestinians out of Gaza, a process deemed as coerced by various humanitarian and human rights organizations. Security incidents have continued to spike since the foundation commenced operations, with Gaza's Health Ministry reporting several Palestinians killed or injured while attempting to access aid. Eyewitness accounts suggest that Israeli troops have engaged in heavy fire towards crowds approaching aid distribution points, further complicating an already dire humanitarian situation. As the crisis in Gaza intensifies, the means and accountability of humanitarian aid distribution remain under scrutiny, leading to serious debates about the ethics of international support in the region.