Despite former President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that his administration has sent $60 million in food aid to Gaza, official records tell a very different story. Only half that amount has actually been pledged — and just a small slice of it has reached Gaza. So, what’s really happening behind the headlines?
Pledges
Trump has publicly stated multiple times that the U.S. sent $60 million in food aid to Gaza. But according to a U.S. State Department spokesperson, only $30 million has been approved — and of that, just $3 million has been disbursed so far. That money is coming from the government’s International Disaster Assistance fund.
The administration hasn’t clarified whether more funds are on the way or if Trump’s $60 million claim was simply an overstatement. Either way, the numbers don’t lie — the aid flow is far less than advertised.
Operations
The aid is being funneled through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a joint U.S.-Israeli project that’s faced its fair share of criticism. Right now, GHF runs only four distribution sites in southern Gaza. Expanding operations to the north — where needs are just as severe — requires more funding and permission from Israel.
GHF has said it can’t grow without additional resources. That includes not just food, but also trucks, security gear, and logistics infrastructure. No money? No expansion.
Here’s a quick overview:
| Category | Current Status |
|---|---|
| U.S. Aid Approved | $30 million |
| Aid Actually Disbursed | $3 million |
| Amount Claimed by Trump | $60 million |
| Operating GHF Sites | 4 (southern Gaza only) |
| Daily Cost to Feed Gaza | ~$6 million |
| Contractor Contract Ends | In 3 weeks |
Politics
So, why not just let the U.N. handle aid delivery? Trump and Israeli officials argue that U.N. food convoys are too often looted — by Hamas or by starving civilians. That’s why they prefer GHF, even if it’s new and under-resourced.
However, critics say the GHF is not experienced enough to scale aid delivery across Gaza. With international pressure mounting and reports of starvation rising, some countries are even demanding the U.S. drop GHF and return to U.N.-led efforts.
Visits
To get a grip on the situation, Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee visited one of the GHF’s Gaza sites. Dressed in flak jackets and surrounded by Israeli troops, they spent five hours on-site. Witkoff later posted that the visit helped them “level-set the facts” and assess the humanitarian conditions firsthand.
However, there was no coordination with U.N. representatives, and details about any follow-up plan remain vague. Trump simply said the goal was “to get people fed.”
Costs
Feeding 2.2 million people in a war zone is wildly expensive. It costs around $6 million a day just for the food — not to mention trucks, armored vehicles, paid volunteers, contractor salaries, and protective gear. Right now, all of that hinges on the limited GHF budget, and its contractor contracts run out in just a few weeks.
The message is clear: if the funding doesn’t increase soon, and if the logistics don’t improve, millions of Gazans may continue to face extreme hunger — or worse.
Sometimes, politics can cloud reality. And in this case, words of generosity are cheap when the money and resources aren’t following.
FAQs
How much U.S. aid was approved?
$30 million was officially approved by the State Department.
How much has been disbursed so far?
Only $3 million of the $30 million has been sent.
What is the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation?
A U.S.-Israeli backed group distributing food in Gaza.
Why not use the U.N. for aid?
The U.S. and Israel claim U.N. convoys are often looted.
How much does it cost to feed Gaza daily?
About $6 million each day to feed the entire population.
