Shaping the Map: GHF and the Politics of Aid in Gaza
Tom Hayward | 7 August 2025
Summary
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an Israeli-backed aid organisation, commenced operations in May 2025 and has since established 4 aid distribution sites in Gaza.
The regular use of lethal and non-lethal force by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and private security contractors in proximity to these sites has caused hundreds of civilian fatalities.
The exclusive placement of the sites in southern and central Gaza is consistent with Israel’s stated evacuation orders to move Palestinians south, raising credible fears of forced displacement of Gaza’s civilian population.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has prompted widespread controversy since its launch in late May 2025. It claims to deliver large-scale food aid to civilians but has drawn criticism for its operational model and lack of coordination with international humanitarian bodies. The distribution sites it oversees have seen frequent fatal incidents while their geographic positioning has raised alarm that humanitarian assistance may be used to shape Gaza’s demographic landscape.
The GHF was founded by a network of former United States (US) military and intelligence figures, private security contractors and business figures. Its primary stated aim is to serve 2m people with humanitarian aid from 4 distribution hubs, each intended for 300,000 Gazans. The GHF bypasses established channels for distributing humanitarian aid in Gaza. Instead, it relies on private security contractors to establish and secure sites. According to the BBC, there are “almost daily” reports of Palestinians being killed while seeking aid since the GHF began operations, with eyewitness accounts saying that most were shot by Israeli forces. On 19 July, at least 32 people were killed after Israeli troops opened fire towards crowds waiting for aid at GHF hubs. On 16 July, at least 20 were killed in a stampede at a GHF site. The GHF’s 4 sites have effectively replaced hundreds of smaller distribution sites across Gaza operated by the UN. In November 2024, the Israeli Knesset banned the UN's Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) from operating in Israel, diminishing its ability to deliver aid into Gaza. The UN and many other aid groups have refused to cooperate with the GHF, saying that the organisation has “weaponised aid”.
In June 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged that Israel was coordinating with “tribal elements” to support aid deliveries through the GHF. This includes the “Popular Forces”, a Rafah-based militia led by Yasser Abu Shabab. Shabab was imprisoned by Hamas on drug trafficking charges but escaped in October 2023. His group aims to overthrow Hamas in Gaza, with the backing of Israel. The Israeli Defence Forces’ cooperation with militias to deliver aid appears to be an attempt to undermine Hamas’ legitimacy among the Palestinian population. Yet any Israel-affiliated militia is unlikely to gain lasting legitimacy among the Palestinian public due to the high level of distrust, and such efforts may instead reinforce the perception of Hamas as the primary leader of the Palestinian cause in Gaza.
On 27 July, Israel announced a ‘humanitarian pause’ to enable the flow of aid into the Strip, presenting a temporary suspension of operations in Muwasi, Deir al Balah and Gaza City for 10 hours a day until further notice. The announcement came as Israel faced mounting international pressure over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and just days after the United Kingdom, France and Germany called for an “immediate ceasefire”. It remains unclear whether international humanitarian agencies will be able to recommence operations in Gaza or whether the GHF will continue to operate as the primary aid distributor. Yet the announcement of a humanitarian pause suggests that the Israeli government is yielding to international pressure over the increasing famine risk in Gaza. Over 100 aid agencies signed an open letter warning that Israel’s military operations were pushing Gaza’s population towards starvation. As Netanyahu faces intensifying calls to end the war in Gaza, the greater provision of aid to civilians may operate as a means of justifying continued military operations. Netanyahu has consistently appeared unwilling to end the conflict as doing so would threaten the survival of his government, which relies on the support of hardline Israeli nationalists. Finance Minister Israel Smotrich stated in June that he opposed ending the conflict “with all my heart”.
2009 UNRWA Photo by Shareef Sarhan
Forecast
Short-term (Now - 3 months)
It is almost certain that the regular occurrence of further violent incidents around GHF sites will continue over the third quarter of 2025, with both GHF armed security and IDF forces empowered to use force habitually. Yet given the desperation of the Gazan population, civilians are unlikely to be deterred from seeking aid.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will very likely come under increased pressure from the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) to demand that Israel increase the provision of humanitarian aid in Gaza.
Medium-term (3-12 months)
As Israel continues to pursue the consolidation of civilian populations in southern Gaza, GHF’s operations will likely expand in southern and central Gaza. This will discourage civilians from returning to the south.
Long-term (>1 year)
Sustained forced displacement of Gaza’s civilian population is likely, compelled by the concentration of aid distribution in southern Gaza.
Short-term measures to increase the provision of aid will likely temporarily alleviate the likelihood of starvation, but a lasting impact is unlikely if the GHF remains the primary distributor of aid in the Gaza Strip.
