U.S.-Backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Plans Scale-Up to 16 Sites

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US and Israeli-backed aid initiative, is set to expand its aid distribution sites in Gaza from four to 16, operating up to 24 hours a day to address the worsening humanitarian crisis. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee emphasized that this expansion, backed by $1 billion in funding, aims to deliver food directly to needy Palestinians while preventing Hamas from accessing supplies. Since its launch in May, the GHF has distributed nearly 110 million meals, but has faced criticism from UN officials and humanitarian groups, who warn of violations of humanitarian law and report casualties near aid sites due to Israeli military actions. The US and Israeli governments view the GHF as a way to bypass Hamas-controlled distribution channels, with Huckabee highlighting President Trump's commitment to ensuring aid reaches the hungry without empowering militants. The expansion coincides with increased international efforts, including airdrops of food and medical supplies coordinated by several countries and Israel's military. While the GHF faces controversy, its supporters argue it effectively targets aid to civilians amid a deepening hunger crisis in Gaza.