GHF Leader Addresses Controversy Amid Rising Casualties in Gaza Aid Distribution

In the wake of increasing casualties among Palestinians seeking aid, Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's Johnnie Moore insists that the organization is being mischaracterized, despite the UN labeling their operations as "inherently unsafe" amid ongoing violence.

The head of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), Johnnie Moore, is under scrutiny as reports indicate rising casualties among Palestinians attempting to receive aid in Gaza. Speaking to the BBC, Moore defended the group's activities, claiming that attributing the deaths of civilians to GHF's proximity is inaccurate. He contended that accusations from the UN and other international agencies are unfounded and unverifiable.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres criticized the GHF's operations, labeling them "inherently unsafe" for directing vulnerable civilians into militarized areas. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, since GHF assumed control of aid distribution in late May, over 500 Palestinians have lost their lives, and an additional 4,000 have sustained injuries while seeking aid.

Reports surfaced shortly after GHF's operations began concerning the fatalities of Palestinians on the first and third of June, leading to international condemnation. Eyewitness accounts, including those of medical professionals, have alleged Israeli forces opened fire on crowds near GHF aid points, which are located within military zones. Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported claims from unnamed soldiers alleging they were instructed to disperse unarmed civilians through gunfire, a claim Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed as false.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) clarified to the BBC that their policies do not include deliberately targeting civilians but acknowledged firing warning shots at individuals deemed suspicious. In a statement, Moore emphasized that most instances of violence remain unverified, suggesting that the narrative of deaths occurring near GHF sites is misinformation. Despite the limitations imposed on international journalists in Gaza, Moore went further to assert that the UN's claim regarding the hijacking of aid trucks prior to GHF's involvement was dishonest.

While aid entering Gaza remains insufficient, following a partial lifting of an 11-week blockade, the GHF aims to distribute 50 million meals—a goal that Moore admitted is manifestly inadequate given the population's needs. As the U.S. State Department announced a direct $30 million contribution to the GHF, Moore asserted, "The mission is clear. We just want to feed Gazans." In context, the recent military campaign launched by Israel in response to Hamas's attacks has escalated tensions, with over 56,000 reported deaths in Gaza since the conflict reignited.