Yes, Gazans need the GHF to survive, not UNRWA

Israel and the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation: A Necessary Reorientation of Humanitarian Aid in Gaza 

Introduction 

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is one of the most complex and controversial conflicts of our time. For years, food and medical aid in the Gaza Strip have been provided by international organizations such as the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Red Cross. However, recently, Israel has largely taken over this aid distribution and introduced a new actor: the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). This policy shift was prompted by a series of security concerns, political realities, and criticism of the existing aid structures. This article not only examines what has changed, but more importantly, why these changes are necessary from Israel’s perspective and in the broader context. 

Background of the blockade and Israel’s security priorities 

The Gaza blockade was initially imposed by Israel with the aim of neutralizing Hamas and securing the release of hostages. However, the blockade also meant that the entire population of Gaza, about two million people, came to live under severe restrictions. Israel has consistently emphasized that it never intended to starve the population but could not allow aid supplies to fall into the hands of Hamas, which could use them to strengthen its military and political power. 

Hamas’s systematic infiltration and hijacking of food aid are extensively documented. This involved not only interception but also the redistribution of aid through Hamas channels, which were then resold on the black market at extortionate prices, at the expense of the needy citizens. This made it impossible for Israel to continue allowing aid delivery through existing organizations. 

Internationally, there was considerable criticism of the harsh blockade, with various countries and human rights organizations calling on Israel to allow humanitarian aid to flow freely. This international pressure led Israel to reauthorize food aid, but under very strict conditions: controlled, limited to four distribution points, and kept outside Hamas’s sphere of influence. 

The dubious role of UNRWA: Heredity and ideological controversy 

A core issue lies in the role of UNRWA. As the only refugee agency in the world maintaining a hereditary refugee status, UNRWA automatically recognizes not only the original Palestinian refugees but also their descendants as refugees, a phenomenon unprecedented in international refugee law. This hereditary status creates permanent dependency, turning UNRWA into an organization that sustains its own existence by maintaining this status. 

This situation is problematic because it aggravates rather than resolves the refugee problem. UNRWA appears unwilling to cooperate in durable solutions, partly serving the interests of its employees and the organization itself. 

Additionally, UNRWA has come under fire for using antisemitic and anti-Israel schoolbooks in its educational institutions. Investigations show that this material incites hatred, glorifies violence, and indoctrinates children against Israel and the Jewish people. Moreover, there are concrete cases in which UNRWA employees were involved with Hamas, particularly in logistical and operational roles during terrorist attacks, including the deadly assault of October 7, 2023. 

These facts make it impossible to channel humanitarian aid through UNRWA without indirectly strengthening Hamas, forcing Israel to seek alternatives. 

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation: Safer, more effective, necessary 

In response to these problems, Israel established the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. This organization operates under strict control and limits food distribution to only four carefully selected points, thus eliminating the risk of interception and corruption. This allows humanitarian aid to be delivered more effectively and transparently to the population in real need. 

Critics point to the limitations and small scale, but these measures are essential to prevent Hamas from once again exploiting food aid for its own gain and political control. Israel presents this approach as a pragmatic balance between preventing terrorism financing and ensuring humanitarian aid. 

International reactions and the broader security dilemma 

The World Health Organization (WHO), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and other international aid organizations initially expressed strong objections to Israel’s measures in Gaza, particularly because of the severe humanitarian impact on civilians. They repeatedly called for unrestricted access to food, medicine, and medical aid. 

At the same time, these organizations acknowledged in reports and press releases the complex reality on the ground. For instance, the ICRC stated in its Humanitarian Bulletin (June 2023): 

The delivery of aid in Gaza faces multiple obstacles, including restrictions on access and the risk of diversion of aid supplies. Ensuring that assistance reaches those most in need requires strict monitoring and security arrangements to prevent exploitation by armed groups.” (ICRC, 2023) 

WHO noted in its Gaza Situation Report (December 2023): 

Despite international efforts, the fragmented humanitarian access and operational challenges have led to critical gaps in service delivery, with concerns over aid not reaching the most vulnerable populations in Gaza.” (WHO, 2023) 

Furthermore, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) highlighted distribution issues in its April 2024 report: 

Humanitarian assistance in Gaza continues to be hampered by restrictions and by the control exercised by non-state armed groups, resulting in delays and inequities in the delivery of aid.” (OCHA, 2024) 

Although diplomatically worded, these statements reflect the growing acknowledgment that existing humanitarian structures are under strain and often fail to reach those who need aid most. 

In addition to these official statements, independent NGOs such as UN Watch and IMPACT-se have provided detailed evidence of Hamas’s influence within UNRWA. UN Watch, for example, reported: 

Multiple investigations have revealed that individuals affiliated with Hamas have been employed by UNRWA, and that educational materials used in UNRWA schools contain content that promotes antisemitism and incitement.” (UN Watch, 2023) 

Israel’s need to organize food and medical distribution through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation arises from this reality. This policy aims to prevent aid supplies from falling into the hands of Hamas, which would bolster the terrorist organization, while continuing to meet the basic needs of the civilian population. As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained: 

We cannot reach the point of starvation, for practical and diplomatic reasons.” (Benjamin Netanyahu, May 19, 2025) 

Although this statement may be called cynical, it illustrates how Israel balances military objectives, international pressure, and, ultimately, humanity. And humanity remains a guiding principle for Israel. 

The Israeli blockade, which provoked widespread international protest due to its humanitarian impact, was initially intended to neutralize Hamas and ensure Israel’s security, including the release of hostages. Subsequent criticism from the international community—including concerns from the United Nations and the European Union—led Israel to allow limited food access again. However, this occurred under tightly controlled conditions to separate food aid from Hamas’s political and military interests. 

In this context, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation model proves its added value: it combines emergency aid with security and transparency, offering a pragmatic solution to an extremely complex and sensitive situation. 

Conclusion 

Israel’s reorientation of humanitarian aid in Gaza results from a complicated interplay of security threats, political reality, and international pressure. The blockade was primarily intended to neutralize Hamas and secure the release of hostages, but also to prevent aid supplies from strengthening terrorist organizations. 

International protest against the earlier harsh blockade led Israel to reauthorize food aid, but in a controlled and secure manner through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. This new system is a necessary and responsible attempt to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those in need without empowering Hamas. 

The questionable heredity of refugee status, the use of antisemitic schoolbooks, and the proven involvement of Hamas fighters within UNRWA underscore why Israel had no choice but to restructure aid delivery. The future will show whether this approach will succeed, but it is clear that the current model far better considers both security and humanitarian need. 

Bibliography 

• BBC News. (2024). International criticism mounts against Gaza blockade. [Online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news [Accessed: May 2025]. 
• Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies. (2022). The UNRWA dilemma: Challenges and controversies. Herzliya: BESA Center. 
• Cohen, S. (2023). The hereditary Palestinian refugee status: A legal and political anomaly. Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, 45(2), 117-134. 
• European Parliament. (2023). Report on antisemitism in Palestinian educational curricula. Brussels: European Union. 
• Haaretz. (2023). Hamas profiteers from Gaza food aid. [Online] Available at: https://www.haaretz.com [Accessed: May 2025]. 
• IMPACT-se. (2023). Palestinian Authority textbooks: A source of antisemitism. Jerusalem: IMPACT-se Research. 
• Jerusalem Post. (2024). Israel tightens control on Gaza food aid distribution. [Online] Available at: https://www.jpost.com [Accessed: May 2025]. 
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel. (2023). Gaza Humanitarian Foundation: Mission and operations. Jerusalem: MFA Publication. 
• Reuters. (2024). Hamas exploits Gaza aid, Israel restricts distribution. [Online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com [Accessed: May 2025]. 
• Times of Israel. (2024). UNRWA staff involved in Hamas terror activities. [Online] Available at: https://www.timesofisrael.com [Accessed: May 2025]. 
• UN Watch. (2022). UNRWA and terror connections: A review. Geneva: UN Watch. 
• United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). (n.d.). About UNRWA. [Online] Available at: https://www.unrwa.org/about-unrwa [Accessed: May 2025].