The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.- and Israeli-backed group providing aid within the Gaza Strip, announced on Friday that all its distribution sites would remain closed indefinitely. The closure follows a series of deadly shootings near their aid centers, prompting GHF to urge residents to avoid these venues “for their safety.”
GHF had recently opened two distribution points in southern Gaza after temporarily closing all four of its centers due to escalating violence. The group said it will announce a reopening date once conditions improve.
Unlike traditional relief organizations, GHF bypasses standard humanitarian channels, a practice that has drawn criticism from entities such as the United Nations over concerns about neutrality—allegations the group denies.
Tensions rose after dozens of Palestinians were shot dead near GHF’s Rafah distribution site over consecutive days. The Israeli military stated that its forces fired warning shots initially, followed by shots aimed at Palestinians who allegedly advanced toward soldiers. GHF, however, maintains its aid deliveries were conducted safely without incident.
The suspension comes amid ongoing conflict after the collapse of a two-month ceasefire in March. Since then, Israel has maintained a blockade restricting aid entry into Gaza for 11 weeks, prompting global warnings of famine. Israel vets all humanitarian shipments and accuses Hamas of diverting aid, a charge denied by the militant group.
The recent military offensive is a response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led cross-border attack that killed over 1,200 Israelis, including Canadians, and resulted in hostage-taking. Israel’s campaign has since killed over 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.
Recently, the Israeli Defense Forces recovered the bodies of Canadian Israeli Judih Weinstein and her husband Gadi Haggai, who had been held by Hamas since the conflict began, offering a measure of closure to their families.
Swifteradio.com
