The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has announced that it will not resume its aid distribution in Gaza immediately after a full day of closure. The organization, which is supported by the United States and Israel, stated that operations will restart once maintenance and repairs on its distribution sites are completed. They shared this update on Facebook, indicating that the sites would not open as early as Thursday morning and promised to provide information on reopening times soon.
The GHF urged those seeking aid to follow routes designated by the Israeli military to ensure their safety. Meanwhile, the Israeli military warned Palestinians not to approach GHF distribution sites during the ongoing "reorganisation work," labeling the access roads as combat zones.
This suspension of aid comes in the wake of tragic incidents where Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians seeking assistance. Just days prior, at least 27 people were killed and around 90 injured near a GHF distribution site in Rafah, southern Gaza. This followed another incident where 31 people lost their lives and over 150 were wounded as thousands gathered for aid. The violence has drawn widespread condemnation and calls for investigations into the actions of Israeli forces.
The GHF has faced criticism for its operations, with reports of mass casualties among aid seekers. The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed receiving a significant influx of casualties after the attacks, highlighting that many victims were women and children suffering from gunshot wounds. The ICRC described the situation in Gaza as one of unprecedented mass casualty incidents.
International leaders, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, have demanded accountability for the deaths, calling for an independent inquiry. The United Kingdom has also called for an immediate investigation into these deadly events, expressing deep concern over the humanitarian situation.
As the conflict continues, Israel has intensified its military operations in Gaza, resulting in a staggering number of casualties. Reports indicate that over 54,000 Palestinians have been killed since the outbreak of violence, with efforts for humanitarian aid facing significant hurdles. The U.S. has recently vetoed a UN resolution aimed at ensuring unhindered access to aid and calling for a ceasefire.
The situation remains dire, with aid organizations struggling to operate amid the ongoing violence and chaos. The GHF’s temporary suspension of aid adds another layer of complexity to an already critical humanitarian crisis.