The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has temporarily suspended its operations at the blockaded enclave following a deadly incident at one of its distribution centres, just one day after Israeli forces shot and killed at least 27 Palestinians and injured more than 100.
The deadly shooting took place as large crowds of desperate Palestinians gathered outside a GHF. Israeli forces opened fire on civilians seeking food and relief, with its military designating the roads leading to these aid sites "combat zones".
"We confirm that travel is prohibited tomorrow on roads leading to the distribution centres… and entry to the distribution centres is strictly forbidden," said an Israeli military spokesperson.
GHF, in a post on social media, stated the suspension was necessary for "renovation, reorganisation and efficiency improvement work".
"Due to the ongoing updates, entry to the distribution centre areas is slowly prohibited! Please do not go to the site and follow the general instructions. Operations will resume on Thursday. Please continue to follow updates," the organisation added.
International outcry
The move comes amid spiralling criticism of the foundation's role in the enclave. Since its launch on May 27, over 100 Palestinians have reportedly been killed by Israeli fire near GHF-run aid sites.
The plan has faced criticism from the United Nations and other humanitarian organisations, which accuse GHF of lacking neutrality and facilitating the Israeli military's objectives in Gaza.
The recent violence in Rafah has intensified these concerns. Israeli forces claimed they opened fire after "suspects" deviated from a stipulated route, but eyewitnesses and medical personnel reported that the incident involved indiscriminate shooting into a crowd of aid seekers.
The United Nations has called for an independent investigation into the killings, with Secretary-General António Guterres condemning the incident as "unacceptable".
Israel's military admitted to firing on civilians on Tuesday but claimed the violence began when "suspects" deviated from a designated route as a crowd approached a makeshift aid site. The army said it was reviewing the incident and reports of casualties.
Other humanitarian aid groups have also refused to cooperate with GHF, accusing it of lacking neutrality and enabling the militarisation of humanitarian assistance in Gaza.
Boston Consulting Group (BCG), which helped develop the aid model that led to GHF’s creation, said Tuesday it had withdrawn from the project and placed a partner on administrative leave. The firm said it is conducting a formal internal review.
"In October 2024, BCG agreed to provide pro bono support to help establish an aid organisation intended to operate alongside multilateral efforts to deliver humanitarian support to Gaza," a spokesperson for BCG said. "Unapproved follow-on work relating to Gaza lacked buy-in from multilateral stakeholders and was stopped on May 30 . . . BCG has begun a formal review of the work, and while that review continues, the partner who led this work has been placed on administrative leave."
GHF in turmoil
Meanwhile, the GHF's leadership has been thrown into turmoil following the appointment of Reverend Dr Johnnie Moore. The controversial new executive chairman was a former White House adviser during Donald Trump's first term and a vocal supporter of Israeli policies.
Moore's appointment has raised further questions about the organisation's impartiality and its alignment with Israeli interests. Following the new leadership announcement, he said: "The GHF was demonstrating that it is possible to move vast quantities of food to people who need it most – safely, efficiently, and effectively."
However, International human rights organisations and Palestinian advocates have accused Israel of "weaponising" hunger in Gaza, pointing to the blockade that has prevented food, medicine, and water from entering the territory for months.