How a US nonprofit ended up at the center of Gaza’s aid controversy
How has the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation become so controversial despite strong backing from Israel and the U.S.? Focused on providing vital aid in Gaza, the organization operates amid a complex political landscape that’s fueling both support and skepticism from all corners of the world.
A nonprofit in the crosshairs
Despite delivering millions of meals, the GHF’s work is often eclipsed by reports of Palestinians being killed or injured during aid efforts involving Israeli military activity. Since the new system was introduced, UNRWA says at least 500 people have reportedly been killed and nearly 4,000 injured while trying to access food.
Officials have consolidated a network of 400 distribution points into four heavily militarized locations. This has created overcrowded areas where civilians face daily gunfire while seeking assistance.
US group seeking to make a difference
GHF receives funding from the U.S. government. The Trump administration pledged $30 million to GHF on June 26, and called on other nations to back the effort as part of its new aid strategy in Gaza.
“We’re seeing the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in line with President Trump’s call to deliver aid in a way where it can’t be looted by Hamas. We’re seeing those creative solutions. We’re seeing the fact that we have 46 million meals distributed,” Tommy Pigott, spokesperson for the State Department, said.
So, how did a small American nonprofit end up delivering meals in one of the world’s most volatile regions?
What is the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation?
Officials registered GHF in Delaware within weeks of President Donald Trump taking office for his second term. However, the BBC reported GHF’s listed address links to a firm used to incorporate businesses, which helped the organization become legally registered.
The group describes itself as a direct response nonprofit created to deliver aid where other efforts have failed. With traditional relief channels in Gaza disrupted by conflict, GHF says it steps in with a tightly controlled, transparent model designed to prevent diversion and restore trust. The organization operates multiple distribution sites that aim to reach more than a million people with food, medical supplies and hygiene kits.
GHF currently operates three food distribution centers in Rafah, all located in zones where authorities urged civilians to evacuate. The organization positioned a fourth site just outside Gaza City, near the border with Deir el-Balah, which now houses hundreds of thousands of displaced residents. None of GHF’s operations extend into northern Gaza beyond the Netzarim Corridor, a dividing line heavily controlled by Israeli forces.
Who is behind the GHF?
GHF is led by a board of directors, an executive team and an advisory board. Its board includes Nate Mook, former CEO of World Central Kitchen and adviser to the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, along with others with backgrounds in finance and governance. Jake Wood, founder of Team Rubicon, originally led the executive team, with David Burke as chief operating officer and John Acree as head of mission.
Shortly after the organization was formed, Wood announced in May that he would be stepping down. He stated that the plan for Gaza did not align with core humanitarian principles, including humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. GHF officials appointed Acree as interim director when food distribution began in May. Rev. Johnnie Moore, an evangelical preacher and White House adviser during Trump’s first term, is a chairman of the GHF.
GHF held a branch in Switzerland
According to the Swiss Commercial Register, GHF has a registered branch in Switzerland. On June 25, authorities issued a 30-day notice requiring the organization to comply with legal obligations or face full liquidation of its Swiss entity.
On July 2, Swiss news outlets reported that the Swiss Federal Supervisory Authority for Foundations is dissolving GHF’s Geneva office. Officials said the group doesn’t have a Swiss-based representative or valid address, in violation of regulatory requirements. GHF reportedly did not respond to the authority’s claims or take steps to resolve the issue.
A controversial alternative to the United Nations
Israel has called for a shift away from U.N.-led aid efforts in Gaza. They argue that a new system is necessary to prevent supplies from reaching Hamas and to ensure neutrality. While Hamas denies taking humanitarian aid, GHF emerged as one of the few options left to get food to starving civilians.
The U.N. has traditionally been the main provider of humanitarian aid in Gaza. It operates through agencies like UNRWA to distribute food, medical supplies and essential services. For decades, it has served as the backbone of international relief efforts in the territory.
More than 170 humanitarian groups, including the U.N. and Oxfam, called for an immediate end to Israel’s military-run aid distribution system in Gaza, which includes GHF. In a joint statement, the organizations called for a return to the U.N.-led relief model. They also demanded the complete lifting of Israel’s blockade on aid and commercial goods.
In March, Israel halted all food and humanitarian deliveries to Gaza after resuming its military offensive following a two-month ceasefire. Israeli officials said they introduced the move to pressure Hamas to release hostages, but it drew widespread international criticism. Israel then lifted the blockade on May 19, allowing for some deliveries to enter through the Gaza Strip.
GHF defends its efforts, refutes news reports
Despite challenges on the ground, the GHF says its food distribution sites in Gaza remain peaceful and focused solely on delivering life-saving aid. The nonprofit organization has refuted what it describes as misleading reports. This includes statements from U.N. officials and headlines based on information from the Gaza Health Ministry. GHF argues that such coverage not only misinforms the public but also discourages Palestinians from seeking help.
On its social media channels, GHF shares daily updates and photos of aid deliveries, often noting that the distribution occurred “without incident.” The group says dozens of trucks carrying meals reach civilians each day, but the demand still far outpaces the supply.
GHF has called on the U.N. and other international organizations to work more closely together. The organization stresses that while it continues to deliver food, the humanitarian needs remain urgent.
Alongside GHF, a few other organizations, including World Central Kitchen and the Egyptian Red Crescent, have operated intermittently in Gaza. However, many of these organizations have suspended their efforts due to safety concerns.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
