The United Nations has issued a strong call for the immediate dismantling of the U.S./Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), claiming that the group’s operations have contributed to a humanitarian disaster and violated international law. According to UN experts, GHF—established in May 2025 to distribute aid in Gaza—has become a dangerous flashpoint in the ongoing crisis, allegedly linked to war crimes and the deaths of hundreds of civilians.
Accusations
UN investigators argue that GHF’s operations have done more harm than good. The main concern? Civilians are dying at alarming rates just trying to get food. Reports reveal that nearly 1,400 people have been killed and more than 4,000 injured while seeking aid. Of those, at least 859 were killed around GHF-run sites since its launch in late May.
The UN states that the aid distribution points have become magnets for “indiscriminate fire” and are unsafe for desperate Palestinians. And while aid is supposed to be neutral, experts say GHF’s ties to Israeli intelligence and U.S. contractors raise red flags about political and military entanglement.
Oversight
The UN is not just asking for GHF to be shut down—it wants its leadership held accountable. The criticism goes beyond logistics and directly into the realm of international law. UN officials say GHF is exploiting humanitarian needs while blocking credible humanitarian actors like the UN’s own Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) from doing their job.
With Israeli blockades in place, UN agencies have been prevented from delivering essential supplies. Israel claims the measures are meant to keep aid from reaching Hamas. But the reality on the ground, according to the UN, is that innocent people are paying the price.
Malnutrition
The result? Starvation. Famine is spreading rapidly in Gaza. The UN now confirms that one in five children is malnourished. The psychological toll is also significant. The UN Special Rapporteur on torture called the mass deprivation of food and water not just inhumane, but “inherently cruel.”
The collapse of aid delivery and escalating violence around aid sites are deepening the crisis. Humanitarian organizations argue that the current system is broken—and that only experienced and neutral players can reverse the damage.
Law
Under international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Convention IV and the Hague Convention, Israel—as the occupying power—is legally required to ensure the provision of basic needs for civilians. Articles 18, 55, and 59 of the Geneva Convention stress that civilians must have unimpeded access to food, water, and medical supplies. And starvation of civilians as a method of warfare? That’s strictly prohibited.
Here’s a summary of what international law requires vs. what’s happening on the ground:
| Legal Obligation (Geneva IV) | Current Reality in Gaza |
|---|---|
| Ensure essential aid access | GHF sites under attack, civilians starving |
| Protect civilians in conflict | Over 1,300 civilians killed near aid sites |
| Avoid starvation as warfare | Widespread famine, 20% child malnutrition |
Action
The UN has gone a step further, calling for a full arms embargo on Israel. It also urges the international community to suspend any trade agreements that may be contributing to the suffering of Palestinians. These aren’t just suggestions—they’re direct challenges to countries supporting or enabling the current aid structure.
Until there is a shift, humanitarian groups argue that Gaza will remain trapped in a cycle of starvation, suffering, and impunity. The UN wants to put the brakes on GHF operations and restore aid distribution to experienced, neutral organizations.
FAQs
What is the GHF?
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US/Israeli-backed aid group.
Why does the UN want GHF dismantled?
Due to alleged war crimes and civilian deaths at its aid sites.
How many people died at GHF sites?
At least 859 since May 2025, per UN reports.
What does international law say?
It bans starvation and requires aid access for civilians.
What’s the UN’s alternative?
Let neutral groups like UNRWA resume aid delivery.
