The Israeli military has declared that roads leading to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s (GHF) aid distribution sites are now categorized as ‘combat zones’.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which is supported by the United States and Israel, will halt its aid distribution in the conflict-stricken area on Wednesday. This decision comes a day after Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians seeking aid at a GHF distribution site, resulting in at least 27 deaths and over 100 injuries.
The Israeli military also announced that the roads leading to these aid centers would be deemed “combat zones” starting Wednesday, urging people in Gaza to heed GHF’s warning to avoid these areas.
“We confirm that travel will not be allowed tomorrow on roads leading to the distribution centers… and entering the centers is strictly off-limits,” said an Israeli military spokesperson.
In a message shared on social media, GHF indicated that the temporary pause in operations was essential for “renovation, reorganization, and efficiency enhancement” efforts.
“With ongoing developments, entry to the areas around the distribution centers is being gradually restricted! Please refrain from visiting the sites and follow general guidelines. Operations will resume on Thursday. Keep an eye on updates,” they stated.
This pause in aid distribution occurs amidst reports of over 100 Palestinian aid seekers being killed by Israeli forces near GHF distribution centers since the organization commenced its work in the enclave on May 27.
The tragic deaths of those urgently needing food have sparked increasing global outrage, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calling for an independent investigation into the fatalities and for accountability for those responsible.
“It is intolerable that Palestinians are risking their lives for food,” Guterres remarked.
While the Israeli military acknowledged firing at aid seekers on Tuesday, they asserted that the shooting occurred when “suspects” strayed from a designated path while a crowd of Palestinians was heading towards the GHF distribution center in Gaza.
Israel’s military stated that it is reviewing the incident and the reports of related casualties.
On the same day, GHF announced the appointment of US evangelical leader Reverend Dr. Johnnie Moore as its new executive chairman.
Moore, who served as an evangelical advisor to the Trump administration during its first term, stated that GHF is “showing that it is feasible to deliver significant amounts of food to those in need — safely, efficiently, and effectively.”
The UN and other humanitarian organizations have refused to collaborate with GHF, alleging a lack of neutrality and describing the group as part of Israel’s militarization of aid efforts in Gaza. Critics have accused Israel of “weaponizing” hunger in Gaza, a situation exacerbated by a prolonged blockade restricting food, medical supplies, water, and other essentials from entering the region.
Moore’s appointment is likely to raise further concerns regarding GHF’s operations in Gaza, particularly due to his support for a controversial proposal from Trump suggesting that the US take control of Gaza, evict the Palestinian population, and focus on real estate development in the area.
Following Trump’s remarks on the issue, Moore shared a video on X stating: “The USA will take full responsibility for the future of Gaza, providing everyone with hope and a future.”
In response to UN Secretary-General Guterres’s condemnation regarding the recent killings of aid seekers in Gaza, Moore posted on social media: “Mr. Secretary-General, that was a falsehood… spread by terrorists, and you are perpetuating it.”
The founding executive director of GHF, former US Marine Jake Wood, resigned prior to the Gaza operation, expressing concerns about the organization’s “impartiality” and “independence.”
Critics have accused GHF, which has not disclosed its funding sources, of aiding the Israeli military’s aim to depopulate northern Gaza by narrowing aid distribution to the southern region, thereby forcing thousands of vulnerable individuals to undertake hazardous journeys to access aid.
