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Humanitarian aid

US Envoy Defends Gaza Aid Scheme Amid International Outcry

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

US envoy Steve Witkoff and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have faced criticism over the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an aid initiative launched in May, which has been marred by chaos and violence. The US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, and Witkoff visited a GHF site in Gaza yesterday, despite an international outcry over starvation in the strip. The visit came as aid officials warn that current measures to ease restrictions on aid are not enough to prevent widespread starvation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US and Israel have promoted the creation of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an aid initiative launched in May, which aims to distribute food and medical aid to the people of Gaza.
  • The GHF is run by US mercenaries working under the protection of the Israeli military, with the state department donating $30mn to the foundation in June.
  • International aid groups have slammed the initiative as violating humanitarian principles and a "fig leaf" to force the displacement of Palestinians out of north and central Gaza into the south.
  • Local officials say more than 1,000 people have been killed trying to receive aid in recent months, many in attacks by Israeli troops while trying to reach GHF sites.
  • Aid officials warn that current measures to ease restrictions on aid are not enough to prevent widespread starvation.
  • The US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, wrote on X that Hamas hates GHF because it gets food to people without being looted by Hamas, stating that over 100 million meals have been served in 2 months.
  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US envoy Steve Witkoff have faced criticism over their handling of the Gaza aid crisis.

Statistics:

  • Over 100 million meals have been served by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in 2 months, according to US Ambassador Mike Huckabee.
  • The state department donated $30mn to the GHF in June.
  • More than 1,000 people have been killed trying to receive aid in recent months, local officials say.
  • The US and Israel have eased restrictions on UN and other international aid groups in Gaza, allowing more aid to reach the population.
  • The worst-case scenario of famine is "unfolding" in Gaza, according to a UN-backed global food security monitor.

Sources:

  • Mike Huckabee/X
  • White House statement
  • Gaza Humanitarian Foundation statement
  • State Department statement
  • News articles from reputable sources (e.g., Haaretz, The New York Times)

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