Israeli Airstrikes Kill Dozens Gaza as US-Backed Aid Group Begins Food Distribution

Deadly Israeli airstrikes recently hit densely populated shelters in Gaza, including a school housing thousands of displaced Palestinians, resulting in significant casualties. Amid ongoing violence and a nearly three-month blockade that led to severe hunger, a controversial new aid organization, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), backed by the US and Israel, has begun food distribution inside Gaza. The GHF aims to replace traditional UN-led aid coordination with a militarized system involving private security and biometric screening at a limited number of distribution hubs, a plan met with strong opposition from the UN and humanitarian agencies who accuse it of violating core humanitarian principles and reinforcing Israeli control. The foundation pressed forward despite the sudden resignation of its American executive director, Jake Wood, who cited lack of operational independence and ethical concerns. Critics argue the new aid system risks excluding large portions of the population, particularly in northern Gaza, and may be part of a broader strategy by Israel to use food as leverage against Hamas. This development occurs against the backdrop of Israel's intensified military campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas and recovering hostages captured in the 2023 conflict, with mounting international pressure over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.