**US-Backed Aid Group Defends Operations Amid Criticism and Deaths**
The head of a controversial US-backed humanitarian aid group has spoken out in defense of their operations in Gaza, despite repeated incidents of Palestinians being killed or injured while seeking help.
Johnnie Moore, the chief of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), told the BBC that he did not deny deaths near aid sites, but claimed that “100% of these casualties were being attributed to proximity to GHF”, and this was “not true”.
Moore accused the UN and other international organizations of spreading information they couldn’t verify, but his claims have been met with skepticism by many. The UN has condemned the GHF’s aid system, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calling it “inherently dangerous” on Friday.
**UN Condemns Aid System as Inherently Dangerous**
The UN chief stated that any operation that funnels desperate civilians into militarized areas is inherently unsafe and that the search for food should never be a death penalty. Since GHF took control of aid distribution, more than 500 Palestinians have been killed and over 4,000 injured while on their way to receive aid.
**Eyewitness Accounts Contradict Aid Group’s Claims**
Eyewitnesses and medical professionals have described Israeli forces opening fire on crowds near help points, sparking international condemnation. An article in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz claimed that IDF troops were ordered to shoot unarmed civilians near distribution sites to drive them away. However, Benjamin Netanyahu called the report “malicious lies” and strongly rejected it.
**IDF Responds with Fencing and Signage**
The IDF stated that they did not instruct forces to intentionally shoot at civilians, including those approaching distribution centers. They said they were looking to improve their operational response in the handout areas by adding new fencing and signage and opening new routes to reach the handout zone.
**Aid Group Seeks to Expand Operations**
Moore claimed that before GHF’s operation, UN aid vehicles were being hijacked under gunpoint, but the UN has stated there is no evidence of a large-scale hijacking. The GHF hopes to reach a milestone of 50 million meals per day in Gaza, which would be less than one meal per person per day.
Despite Israel’s partial lifting of the 11-week blockade, experts warn that the territory is still on the verge of famine. The US State Department has announced it will provide $30m to the GHF, but many have expressed concerns about the adequacy of aid and the danger posed by the GHF’s operations.
**A Complex Situation**
The situation in Gaza is complex and contentious. While Moore claims that the GHF wants to feed Gazans, others see their operation as inherently flawed and even deadly. As the humanitarian crisis deepens, it remains unclear whether the GHF can effectively address the needs of those in need or if their efforts will only exacerbate the problem.
Read More @ www.bbc.com
