The U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation announced it had distributed over 30 million meals in the organization’s first three weeks, including over 3 million meals across three distribution sites on Wednesday.
However, the news was clouded by reports that the Israel Defense Forces killed dozens of Palestinians at a GHF distribution site, a claim the organization said is “categorically untrue.”
“To date, not a single incident has occurred at or in the surrounding vicinity of GHF sites, nor has an incident occurred during our operating hours,” the organization said in a statement. “Our distribution model is secure and designed specifically to prevent this kind of tragedy—even under extreme pressure.”
The incident instead occurred at a United Nations site near the area of Khan Yunis, according to GHF and later confirmed by the Associated Press, though the news organization cited casualty counts from the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. GHF officials stated they were “concerned by the role of the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, certain U.N. officials and Al Jazeera in promoting these false narratives.”
The IDF, which was operating near the area, stated they are “aware of reports regarding a number of injured individuals from IDF fire following the crowd’s approach,” and that “the details of the incident are under review.”
“The IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and operates to minimize harm as much as possible to them while maintaining the safety of our troops,” the military said.
“It is troubling that GHF is once again being blamed for an incident that occurred at a U.N. site,” the GHF statement continued. “If anything, this underscores the urgent need for the U.N. and other humanitarian actors to reassess their security and distribution protocols.”
GHF stated that the chaos in Gaza will continue until there is enough food in the region. In the meantime, “that chaos must be managed responsibly.”
“In Gaza’s current environment—marked by severe food shortages and widespread desperation—failing to solve for the reality on the ground is having deadly consequences,” the organization stated. “In this environment, accurate reporting is essential.”
“We urge journalists to verify facts before attributing incidents to GHF,” it continued. “GHF remains focused on its mission: to safely, quickly and effectively feed as many people as possible, every day. We urge the media to match that commitment with accuracy.”