More than 130 charities and other NGOs have called for the closure of the controversial Israeli and U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
The groups said more than 500 Palestinians have been killed in seeking aid since the GHF began operations in late May, following the three-month lockdown on Gaza. Nearly 4,000 people were injured.
Organizations including Oxfam saved the children and amnesty, and Israeli forces and armed groups opened fire on Palestinians seeking assistance.
Israel denied that its soldiers deliberately shot aid recipients and defended the GHF system, saying it provided direct assistance to those who needed it, bypassing Hamas’ intervention.
A joint statement from some of the world’s largest charities said on Tuesday that the foundation violated all norms of humanitarian work, including forcing 2 million people into overcrowded and militarized areas where they face daily gunfire.
Almost every day since the GHF began its operations in Gaza, Israeli forces have killed medical personnel, witnesses and Hamas-run people seeking assistance at these locations.
GHF auxiliary distribution system replaces 400 aid distribution points operating during the temporary Israel-Hamas ceasefire There are only four military-controlled distribution sitesin the three southwesternest Gaza, one in central Gaza.
“Today, Palestinians in Gaza face an impossible choice: starve to death or risk being shot while trying desperately to feed their food to support their families,” the statement said.
“The children and caregivers of orphans are the dead and children were injured in more than half of the attacks on civilians at these sites.”
United Nations agencies have condemned the GHF assistance system. On Friday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called it “essentially unsafe.”
From the outset, the United Nations condemned the plan, saying it would “militarize” aid, bypass existing distribution networks and force Gazaians to travel long distances in dangerous areas to get food.
The Israeli military has Reports that civilians are being studied are being studied At the same time, approach the GHF Aid Distribution Center.
Unnamed IDF soldiers said they were ordered to shoot unarmed civilians near the aid allocation location to expel or disperse them, according to a report by Israeli newspaper Haaretz on Friday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly rejected the report, calling the allegations “malicious and false.”
The Israeli military also denied the allegations of intentional firing Palestinians to be collected.
The IDF said in a statement Monday that it is reorganizing access to the website, which will include new “fences” and road signs, including directional and warning signs to improve operational response.
But more than 130 aid groups say the GHF is “not a humanitarian response.”
“In amidst severe hunger and famine-like conditions, many families have told us that they are too weak to compete for food rations now,” the groups said.
