U.S. State Department allots $30 million for the humanitarian work of Gaza Foundation
Take a gander at this:
The good ol' US of A has given its stamp of approval to shovel a cool $30 million to the tab of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), as announced on Thursday by the State Department. Ain't that a peach!
Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said at a regular news briefing that this decision is just the latest move in President Trump's and Secretary Rubio's quest for a spot of peace in the Middle East.
Reuters got wind of this move earlier in the week, but this is the first time the US government has put its wallet where its mouth is when it comes to the GHF. Some call it controversy, some call it less-than-reputable – the GHF relies on private, for-profit US military and logistics firms to transport and distribute the aid in the Palestinian enclave.
Since Israel let up on that 11-week aid blockade back in May, more than 400 Palestinians have met an untimely end seeking help from either the UN or the GHF. Guess some folks just can't catch a break.
Earlier this month, the GHF had a brief pause in the delivery of aid, pressuring Israel to step up civil safety around its distribution sites. No dice, they say – no incidents at their sites.
Johnnie Moore, the foundation's Head Honcho, shouted out their achievements on Thursday – since they started up in May, they've handed out over 46 million meals to Gazans. Living large, ain't they?
Critics, however, take issue with providing US funds to the organization, citing concerns about violence near aid distribution sites, the GHF's lack of experience, and the involvement of those for-profit US logistics and private military firms.
The US could dish out another $30 million a month to the GHF, sources claim, under the condition of anonymity. Seems like they don't wanna stick their necks out too far in this controversy.
The State Department exempted the GHF, a group that keeps its financials under wraps, from the usual audit that comes along with groups receiving US aid for the first time. Sounds a bit fishy, doesn't it?
The people of Gaza are reeling from an acute shortage of food and basic supplies, thanks to that two-year-long military push by Israel. Debatable decisions like this one raise a stink, leaving experts to question the political motivations behind these humanitarian efforts.
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[1] Gaza: Controversy surrounds US funding for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, as per Reuters[2] The political implications of US aid to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an analysis in Foreign Policy[3] Inside the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a deep dive by Al Jazeera
- The recent influx of $30 million in US aid to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has sparked controversy and political debate, with critics questioning the use of private, for-profit US military and logistics firms in the aid distribution process.
- The potential for another $30 million per month in US funding to the GHF, under the condition of anonymity, raises questions about the political motivations behind these humanitarian efforts, particularly as the Gaza Strip struggles to recover from two years of military conflict and a subsequent shortage of food and basic supplies.
