Cliff Notes
- The head of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) disputes UN casualty figures, alleging a “disinformation campaign” against their aid efforts.
- The GHF has reportedly delivered over 44 million meals since its operations began, despite claiming opposition from the UN and other aid organisations.
- Thousands of Palestinians travel long distances through military zones to reach aid hubs, which some critics suggest may exacerbate humanitarian challenges.
UN data on Gaza deaths ‘disinformation’, claims head of aid group
The chief of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has called figures by the United Nations on people killed at aid hubs “disinformation”.
The UN said at least 410 Palestinians have been killed seeking food since Israel lifted an 11-week aid blockade on 19 May, while the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry said at least 549 people have been killed.
Johnnie Moore, executive director of GHF, told Sky News that there is a “disinformation campaign” that is “meant to shut down our efforts” in the Gaza Strip, fuelled by “some figures” coming out every day.
Mr Moore, an evangelical preacher who served as a White House adviser in the first Trump administration, said his aid group has delivered more than 44 million meals to Gazan’s since it began operations in May.
Aid agencies claim Israel is weaponising food
The controversial group, backed by Israel and the United States, has been rejected by the UN and other aid groups, which have refused to cooperate with the GHF.
The aid agencies claim Israel is weaponising food, and the new distribution system using the GHF will be ineffective and lead to further displacement of Palestinians.
They also argue the GHF will fail to meet local needs and violate humanitarian principles that prohibit a warring party from controlling humanitarian assistance.
The GHF is distributing food packages, which they say can feed 5.5 people for 3.5 days, in four locations, with the majority in the far south of Gaza.
Thousands of Palestinians walk for hours to reach the aid hubs and have to move through Israeli military zones, where witnesses say the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) regularly open fire with heavy barrages to control the crowds.
Both figures from the UN and the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry say hundreds of people have been killed or wounded.
Sources
UN data on Gaza deaths ‘disinformation’, claims head of controversial aid group – Yahoo
Head of controversial Gaza aid group calls UN data on deaths ‘disinformation’ – Sky News