• Over 170 NGOs demand the closure of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) amid rising death tolls.
• More than 500 Palestinians have been killed near aid distribution sites since GHF operations began.
• Israeli military acknowledges harm to civilians while backing controversial aid program with the US.

More than 170 non-governmental organizations have called for the dismantling of the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), citing severe risks to civilian safety. Since its inception in late May, over 500 Palestinians have reportedly been killed while attempting to reach aid distribution points, according to medical authorities in Gaza. The GHF's reliance on private US security to facilitate aid delivery has raised significant concerns among humanitarian groups about its safety and legality, as the United Nations has labeled the plan "inherently unsafe" and indicative of a violation of humanitarian principles, according to TRT World and Reuters.

The GHF has replaced over 400 local aid distribution points with just four military-controlled sites, forcing citizens into militarized zones where they face near-daily gunfire. "Palestinians face an impossible choice: starve or risk being shot while trying to reach food," stated a coalition of NGOs including Oxfam and Doctors Without Borders in a joint statement, citing overwhelming evidence of violence against civilians seeking aid. This call for action reflects a growing urgency among charities advocating for humanitarian operations that adhere to international law, as reported by AA and Middle East Eye.

The aid distribution initiative has been criticized not only for operational failures but also for the deadly outcomes associated with its implementation. Reports indicate that over 580 Palestinians have died while seeking aid, with many more injured, especially children. The NGOs are adamant that the GHF has aggravated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza rather than mitigating it, arguing that it has systematically dismantled existing humanitarian frameworks and replaced them with militarized processes, according to BBC and Al Jazeera.

In light of public outcry and mounting casualties, the Israeli military has admitted that civilians have been harmed while approaching aid centres, committing to investigate incidents of violence, although it maintains that the security measures are necessary to prevent militants from hijacking supplies. However, criticisms persist about the lack of accountability and continued military oversight of humanitarian efforts, as detailed by AA and Middle East Eye.