A group of 21 Senate Democrats is demanding the immediate termination of funding to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a controversial aid program backed by the Trump administration. The senators argue the initiative has contributed to the deaths of more than 700 civilians and violates long-standing humanitarian principles.
Led by Senators Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Peter Welch of Vermont, the letter denounces GHF’s operations as a dangerous fusion of aid delivery and military force. They warn that the current model “shatters well-established norms” dating back to the Geneva Conventions of 1949.
Deadly Aid
The $30 million initiative was authorized in June, with $7 million already disbursed. Backed by both U.S. and Israeli interests, the foundation was granted preferential access to Gaza through cooperation with the Israeli military and U.S. private security contractors. Since launching in May, however, the foundation’s distribution points have become scenes of deadly chaos.
According to the United Nations, at least 766 people have been killed and nearly 5,000 injured while attempting to reach GHF food distribution sites. More than 1,000 have died while seeking food aid overall, and 100 are believed to have starved.
Eyewitness reports and former staff paint a grim picture. Jake Wood, the foundation’s original executive director and a former U.S. marine, resigned in May, stating that he could not continue under conditions that compromise core humanitarian principles. Soon after, Boston Consulting Group also pulled out of its logistical role.
Contractor Abuse
Senators voiced alarm over reports that American security contractors from firms like Safe Reach Solutions and UG Solutions were using live ammunition and crowd control weapons at food distribution points. An Associated Press investigation detailed instances where bullets, pepper spray, and stun grenades were used even when no threat was present.
Former contractor Anthony Aguilar, a U.S. Army veteran, told BBC News that Israeli tanks had fired directly into crowds and described the overall operation as disorganized and excessively violent. Aguilar said he witnessed “a main gun tank round from the Merkava tank into a crowd of people.”
Oversight Concerns
The Trump administration exempted the foundation from standard oversight requirements, including USAID audits typically mandatory for first-time grantees. Internal memos from USAID officials reportedly raised red flags about the proposal, citing operational, reputational, and oversight risks.
The foundation, however, has insisted that violence did not occur at its sites and claims it has distributed over 95 million meals. It has blamed reports of harm on misinformation spread by Hamas.
In a defensive public relations shift, the group has taken to social media to criticize the UN, accusing it of failing to deliver aid effectively. Its executive chairperson, Rev Johnnie Moore, even suggested GHF could take over aid delivery from the UN, offering to distribute hundreds of trucks’ worth of food on behalf of the organization.
Political Fallout
Former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce introduced legislation to reverse Australia’s net zero goal—a move all but certain to fail, but reflective of global tension around aid and climate policy. Meanwhile, Trump echoed unsupported Israeli claims that Hamas was stealing food aid, using the allegation to justify ongoing restrictions on aid deliveries.
Within the U.S., Senator Angus King, an independent from Maine who caucuses with Democrats, issued a rare rebuke of Israel, declaring he would oppose any further U.S. support until Israel addresses the crisis. “I am through supporting the actions of the current Israeli government,” King said.
Human Rights Alarms
The senators’ letter arrives as two major Israeli human rights groups—B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights – Israel—officially declared that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Their statement points to “coordinated action to intentionally destroy Palestinian society,” marking the first such accusation from within Israel’s rights community.
With a growing chorus of legal, humanitarian, and political voices calling for a full reevaluation of U.S. support for GHF, the pressure is mounting. The senators have given Secretary Rubio two weeks to respond to a series of questions on the program’s legality, contractor operations, and the ongoing civilian toll.
“There should be no American taxpayer dollars contributing to this scheme,” they wrote.
FAQs
What is the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation?
A controversial aid group funded by the U.S. and Israel.
Why are senators calling for defunding it?
Due to civilian deaths and lack of oversight at aid sites.
Who resigned from the foundation and why?
Director Jake Wood resigned over humanitarian principle concerns.
How many civilians died at GHF sites?
At least 766 people were killed near aid distribution points.
What did Senator Angus King say?
He opposes more U.S. aid to Israel over the Gaza crisis.
