The head of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), Johnnie Moore, faces backlash after reports of civilian casualties near aid sites in Gaza as the conflict escalates.
GHF Chief Defends Controversial Aid Operations Amid Rising Casualties in Gaza
GHF Chief Defends Controversial Aid Operations Amid Rising Casualties in Gaza
Johnnie Moore addresses international scrutiny following the deaths of hundreds during aid distribution efforts.
Johnnie Moore, the leader of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), has vehemently defended the organization amid intense scrutiny and rising calls for accountability regarding its aid operations in the Gaza Strip. Speaking on the BBC World Service's Newshour, Moore acknowledged that while numerous casualties have been reported near GHF sites, he contested the claims attributing these deaths directly to the organization. "100% of those casualties are being attributed to the GHF, and that is not true," he asserted.
His comments come amid grim statistics released by the Hamas-run health ministry, indicating over 500 Palestinian deaths and thousands more injured while attempting to secure aid since GHF took over distribution in late May. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the current aid operation as "inherently unsafe," emphasizing that funneling desperate civilians into militarized zones creates lethal risks.
This sentiment was echoed by eyewitnesses and medical professionals who have reported Israeli forces firing on crowds near aid distribution points. A report by Israeli newspaper Haaretz detailed accusations from unnamed Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers claiming they were ordered to fire upon unarmed civilians to disperse them. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed these allegations as "malicious falsehoods."
In contrast, the IDF has stated that its personnel do not fire directly at civilians and have introduced measures such as new fencing and signage near aid sites to improve safety. Moore insisted that accountability for incidents should not be solely placed on the IDF, claiming that investigations into the events have yielded inconclusive results.
The international reporting environment complicates on-ground verification, as Israel continues to restrict media access to the region. Moore also criticized prior UN operations, claiming that many aid trucks were hijacked prior to GHF's involvement—a claim the UN denies.
Despite challenges, the GHF aims to deliver 50 million meals to Gaza, an effort that Moore acknowledges has faced inefficiencies but still represents a crucial increase in aid. Recently, the U.S. State Department announced a $30 million funding injection intended to bolster GHF's efforts.
As the military conflict escalates, with casualties exceeding 56,000 Palestinians since October 2023, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains dire. The GHF, under mounting scrutiny, pushes forward with its mission, hopeful for collaboration with international organizations to enhance food access to those in need in one of the world’s most volatile regions.
