Despite growing concern over a series of deadly attacks on Palestinian aid seekers near its distribution hubs, the United States has approved $30m in direct funding for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation(GHF), a controversial Israel-backed group delivering aid in Gaza.
Speaking to reporters, State Department Spokesperson, Tommy Pigott urged other countries to also support the GHF and “it’s critical work.”
The GHF’s interim Executive Director, John Acree, welcomed the US contribution and said that it was “time for unity and collaboration.”
“We look forward to other aid and humanitarian organizations joining us so we can feed even more Gazans, together.”
John Acree
The GHF, backed by the US and Israel, has been a source of widespread criticism since its establishment in May.
The organisation was set up amid growing pressure on Israel to ease its months-long total blockade on humanitarian aid entering the Strip.
The blockade had pushed most of Gaza’s population to the brink of starvation.
International aid groups and the United Nations have refused to work with the GHF, saying it violates basic humanitarian principles by coordinating delivery with Israeli troops backed by privately hired and armed US security personnel.
Video clips have emerged showing Palestinians being shot at while trying to collect food aid.
At least 549 Palestinians have been killed while waiting for food aid distributed at GHF sites, the Gaza Government Media Office said on Thursday.
The GHF, which is officially a private group, has denied that deadly incidents have occurred in the immediate vicinity of its aid points.
Nonetheless, Pigott said that the group has distributed 46 million meals so far, which is “absolutely incredible” and “should be applauded.”
He added that the financial support to the GHF is part of President Donald Trump and Secretary of State, Marco Rubio’s “pursuit of peace in the region.”
Nearly a month since this aid rollout began, the Israeli military and the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which operates the aid distribution programme, have either denied or downplayed the fact that there are Palestinians getting killed while seeking aid.
People in Gaza have said these distribution centres have now become a death trap for Palestinians.
Aid groups have said that Palestinians are left with no choice — to either starve to death, or die seeking the very little food that is offered in the distribution centres run by the GHF.
GHF Workers Likely To Bear Criminal Liability For Aid Seekers’ Deaths
Meanwhile, Kate Mackintosh, Executive Director of the UCLA Law Promise Institute Europe, told a news agency that GHF workers could bear criminal liability for the killings of aid seekers near the group’s distribution points.
She noted that it’s very unclear why these people are being targeted and killed, “but I think it’s pretty clear that these are unarmed civilians who are desperately trying to get food for their families.”
She added that firing upon people in that situation prima facie is a war crime.
She said that people working for the GHF would “have to think about the extent to which they could be complicit in those crimes.”
“If they’re aware that this is going to happen – or even in some jurisdictions they’re aware of the substantial risk of this happening, which it seems they must be … they could be held criminally liable for participating in those crimes.”
Kate Mackintosh
Efforts by the UN to distribute the food have been plagued by armed gangs looting trucks and by crowds of desperate people offloading supplies from convoys.
Israel has accused the Hamas group of stealing aid and using it to prop up its rule in the enclave. Israeli forces have repeatedly struck Gaza’s police, considering them a branch of Ham
READ ALSO: World Bank, IAEA Partner to Expand Nuclear Energy Access in Developing Nations
