Fact Check: US Approves $30 Million Funding for Controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation
What We Know
On June 26, 2025, the U.S. State Department announced the approval of $30 million in funding for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a new aid distribution initiative in Gaza that has been met with significant controversy (New York Times, Reuters). The GHF is described as being backed by Israel and primarily operated by American contractors. The funding marks the first public financial support from the U.S. for this organization, which has faced criticism from various humanitarian groups and the United Nations (Al Jazeera).
The GHF aims to address the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where approximately two million residents are facing dire food shortages. Reports indicate that hundreds of people have been killed near GHF distribution sites amid ongoing violence (New York Times, Al Jazeera). The organization has been accused of violating humanitarian principles by coordinating aid delivery with Israeli military forces, which has raised alarms among international aid agencies (Reuters, Al Jazeera).
Analysis
The announcement of the $30 million funding by the U.S. government has been corroborated by multiple reputable sources, including the New York Times, Reuters, and Al Jazeera. The State Department spokesperson, Thomas Pigott, characterized the GHF's efforts as "absolutely incredible" and urged other nations to contribute (New York Times, Reuters). However, the GHF's operational model has been criticized for its militarized approach, which some argue undermines the core humanitarian principles of neutrality and impartiality (Al Jazeera).
Critics, including human rights organizations, have expressed concerns that the GHF's collaboration with Israeli authorities could lead to further violence against civilians seeking aid. Reports have emerged of deadly incidents near GHF sites, with claims that Israeli troops have opened fire on crowds of Palestinians attempting to access food (New York Times, Al Jazeera). The GHF has denied these allegations, asserting that media reports have misrepresented the situation and that Hamas has spread misinformation regarding their operations (New York Times, Al Jazeera).
The reliability of the sources reporting on this issue is generally high, as they include established news organizations with a track record of covering international affairs. However, the potential for bias exists, particularly in the framing of the GHF's operations and the context of the violence reported.
Conclusion
The claim that the U.S. has approved $30 million in funding for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is True. This funding has been officially confirmed by multiple credible sources, and the context surrounding the GHF's operations highlights significant controversy regarding its humanitarian approach amid ongoing violence in Gaza.
