Latest news with #Acree
Observer
4 days ago
- Health
- Observer
Gazans on 'desperately need more aid', says aid group
GAZA: A privately run aid organisation brought in to distribute food rations in war-hit Gaza last month with US and Israeli backing said that people in the Palestinian territory "desperately need more aid". The admission by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) that it has been unable to meet demand came after severe criticism from other aid groups and near-daily deadly shootings near distribution points. Gaza's civil defence agency reported that Israeli troops had killed scores of people, including those who were seeking food in the territory which is suffering from famine-like conditions due to Israeli restrictions, according to aid groups. In a statement on Saturday, GHF interim executive director John Acree said that the organisation was "delivering aid at scale, securely and effectively... But we cannot meet the full scale of need while large parts of Gaza remain closed." He said the GHF was "working with the government of Israel to honour its commitment and open additional sites in northern Gaza". "The people of Gaza desperately need more aid and we are ready to partner with other humanitarian groups to expand our reach to those who need help the most," Acree said. GHF's operations have been slammed as a "failure" by the United Nations, while other aid groups have raised concerns about the group's opaque structure and neutrality in the conflict that has been raging since October 2023. According to figures issued on Saturday by the health ministry in the Gaza Strip, at least 450 people have been killed and nearly 3,500 injured by Israeli fire since GHF began distributing meal boxes in late May. GHF has denied responsibility for deaths near its aid points, contradicting statements from witnesses and Gaza rescue services. It has said deaths have occurred near UN food convoys. The head of aid group Doctors Without Borders, Christopher Lockyear, said that the "imposed system of aid delivery" in Gaza was "not only a failure, but it is dehumanising and dangerous". Israel's military has continued its operations in Gaza, even as attention has shifted to its ongoing war with Iran since June 13. Israel's ban on foreign media entering the Gaza Strip and difficulties for local journalists to travel in the territory mean media is unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by rescuers and authorities. The Israeli army said that it was "looking into" the deaths which the civil defence agency reported near GHF distribution centres. In the past, the military has said that its troops have fired on crowds approaching them in a threatening fashion and only after warning shots. Witnesses have said that injuries caused by drones and tank rounds. Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal said that three people were killed by gunfire in the southern Gaza Strip, with another five killed in a central area known as the Netzarim corridor, where thousands of Palestinians have gathered daily in the hope of receiving rations from a GHF centre. Earlier this week, the UN's World Health Organization warned that Gaza's health system was at a "breaking point", pleading for fuel to be allowed into the territory to keep its remaining hospitals running. — AFP
Korea Herald
6 days ago
- Health
- Korea Herald
US-backed Gaza aid group says people 'desperately need more aid'
JERUSALEM (AFP) -- A privately run aid organization brought in to distribute food rations in war-hit Gaza last month with US and Israeli backing said Saturday that people in the Palestinian territory "desperately need more aid." The admission by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) that it has been unable to meet demand came after severe criticism from other aid groups and near-daily deadly shootings near distribution points. Gaza's civil defense agency said Saturday that Israeli troops had killed at least 17 people, including eight who were seeking food in the territory which is suffering from famine-like conditions due to Israeli restrictions, according to aid groups. In a statement on Saturday, GHF interim executive director John Acree said that the organization was "delivering aid at scale, securely and effectively ... But we cannot meet the full scale of need while large parts of Gaza remain closed." He said the GHF was "working with the government of Israel to honor its commitment and open additional sites in northern Gaza." "The people of Gaza desperately need more aid and we are ready to partner with other humanitarian groups to expand our reach to those who need help the most," Acree said. GHF's operations have been slammed as a "failure" by the United Nations, while other aid groups have raised concerns about the group's opaque structure and neutrality in the conflict that has been raging since October 2023. According to figures issued Saturday by the health ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, at least 450 people have been killed and nearly 3,500 injured by Israeli fire since GHF began distributing meal boxes in late May. GHF has denied responsibility for deaths near its aid points, contradicting statements from witnesses and Gaza rescue services. It has said deaths have occurred near UN food convoys. On Monday, the head of aid group Doctors Without Borders, Christopher Lockyear, said that the "imposed system of aid delivery" in Gaza was "not only a failure, but it is dehumanizing and dangerous." Israel's military has continued its operations in Gaza, even as attention has shifted to its ongoing war with Iran since June 13. Israel's ban on foreign media entering the Gaza Strip and difficulties for local journalists to travel in the territory mean Agence France-Presse was unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by rescuers and authorities. The Israeli army told AFP Saturday it was "looking into" the deaths which the civil defense agency reported near GHF distribution centers. In the past, the military has said that its troops have fired on crowds approaching them in a threatening fashion and only after warning shots. Witnesses have told AFP about injuries caused by drones and tank rounds. Civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP that three people were killed by gunfire in the southern Gaza Strip, with another five killed in a central area known as the Netzarim corridor, where thousands of Palestinians have gathered daily in the hope of receiving rations from a GHF center. Earlier this week, the UN's World Health Organization warned that Gaza's health system was at a "breaking point," pleading for fuel to be allowed into the territory to keep its remaining hospitals running. The Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023 that sparked the war resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Israel's retaliatory military campaign has killed at least 55,908 people, also mostly civilians, according to the Gaza health ministry. The UN considers these figures reliable.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
GHF updates on aid distribution success debunks Hamas propaganda
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation gave an operational update while also reiterating that Hamas reports of casualties near the sites were false. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) announced Monday that it has distributed close to six million meals in its first week of operations in Gaza, and it intends to open even more aid distribution sites. According to the organization, 21 truckloads of food aid were delivered from its Tel Sultan distribution site, totaling 18,720 boxes—enough to provide approximately 1,081,080 meals. This brings the cumulative total to an estimated 5.8 million meals distributed since operations began. GHF also provided new photos from the successful aid distribution on Monday morning. GHF interim executive director John Acree praised the progress achieved so far, stating that the rapid deployment 'proves our model is functional and effective in delivering life-saving assistance to the people of Gaza under emergency conditions.' Acree added that GHF plans to expand its operations by opening four additional distribution sites, including one in northern Gaza, to meet the overwhelming demand. On Sunday, reports circulated claiming that the IDF had attacked a food distribution point near Rafah, resulting in civilian casualties. However, GHF dismissed these reports, releasing security camera footage from the site showing calm civilian activity and no reported incidents. 'All aid was distributed today without incident. No injuries or fatalities. We have heard that these false reports are being spread byHamas. They are untrue and fabricated,' the organization said. The IDF also denied the allegations, saying its initial investigation found no evidence of an attack on civilians at the aid site. According to an IDF source, troops operated overnight approximately one kilometer from the distribution area, outside of operating hours, and targeted individuals suspected of approaching their position. Also on Sunday, the IDF released video footage of masked Gazan gunmen shooting innocent Palestinians who were attempting to collect aid. GHF criticized Hamas for allegedly spreading misinformation that undermines critical humanitarian efforts. 'We are scaling up as quickly as possible, but the reality is stark: for every truck we manage to bring into our network, other humanitarian groups face looting before aid reaches those in need,' the organization stated.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New US-backed group says it has begun aid distribution in Gaza
A controversial new aid distribution group backed by the US and Israel has begun working in Gaza. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) said lorry loads of food had been delivered to secure sites and that it had begun distribution to people. It did not say where or how much aid had been handed out. The group, which uses armed American security contractors, aims to bypass the UN as the main supplier of aid to the 2.1 million Palestinians in Gaza, where experts are warning of a looming famine after an Israeli blockade that lasted 11 weeks. The UN and many aid groups have refused to co-operate with GHF's plans, which they say contradict humanitarian principles and appear to "weaponise aid". Israel says a new system is needed to stop Hamas stealing aid, which the group denies doing. Head of controversial Israel-backed Gaza aid group resigns Israeli strike kills dozens sheltering in Gaza school, officials say 'Situation is dire' - BBC returns to Gaza baby left hungry by Israeli blockade In a statement sent to journalists on Monday night, GHF announced that it had "commenced operations in Gaza" and delivered "truck loads of food to its Secure Distribution Sites, where distribution to the Gazan people began". "More trucks with aid will be delivered [on Tuesday], with the flow of aid increasing each day," it added. Handout photos showed just over a dozen men carrying away boxes from an unspecified location. The BBC has asked the GHF how many lorry loads of aid got in and how many people were able to pick up aid, but it has not yet received a response. The GHF's statement also said John Acree, a former senior manager at USAID - the US government agency responsible for administering foreign aid - had been named interim executive director. Acree succeeds Jake Wood, who resigned from the position on Sunday. Wood said the group's aid distribution system could not work in a way that would be able to fulfil the principles of "humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence". The GHF's board rejected the criticism, accusing "those who benefit from the status quo" of being more focused on "tearing this apart than on getting aid in". It said the system was fully consistent with humanitarian principles and would feed a million Palestinians by the end of the week. Under the GHF's mechanism, security-screened Palestinians will be expected to collect boxes containing food and basic hygiene items for their families from a small number of distribution sites which are mainly in southern Gaza. The sites will be secured by American contractors, with Israeli troops patrolling the perimeters. UN and other aid agencies insisted they will not co-operate with any scheme that fails to respect fundamental humanitarian principles. They have warned that the GHF's system will practically exclude those with mobility issues, including those with injuries, disabilities and the elderly, force further displacement, expose thousands of people to harm, make aid conditional on political and military aims, and set an unacceptable precedent for aid delivery around the world. They have said they have thousands of lorries waiting to go into Gaza and a detailed plan to ensure aid gets to people in need and looting is minimised. Hamas has warned Palestinians not to co-operate with GHF's system, saying it would "replace order with chaos, enforce a policy of engineered starvation of Palestinian civilians, and use food as a weapon during wartime". GHF's statement condemned what it said were "Hamas's death threats targeting aid groups supporting humanitarian operations at GHF's Safe Distribution Sites, and efforts to block the Gazan people from accessing aid at the sites". Israel imposed a total blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza on 2 March and resumed its military offensive two weeks later, ending a two-month ceasefire with Hamas. It said the steps were meant to put pressure on the armed group to release the 58 hostages still held in Gaza, up to 23 of whom are believed to be alive. On 19 May, the Israeli military launched an expanded offensive that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said would see troops "take control of all areas" of Gaza. The plan reportedly includes completely clearing the north of civilians and forcibly displacing them to the south. Netanyahu also said Israel would allow a "basic" amount of food into Gaza to prevent a famine following pressure from allies in the US. Since then, Israeli authorities say they have allowed at least 665 lorry loads of humanitarian aid, including flour, baby food and medical supplies, into Gaza. However, the head of the UN's World Food Programme warned on Sunday that the aid was only a "drop in the bucket" of what was needed in the territory to reverse the catastrophic levels of hunger, amid significant shortages of basic foods and skyrocketing prices. Half a million people face starvation in the coming months, according to an assessment by the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response Hamas's cross-border attack on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. At least 53,977 people have been killed in Gaza since then, including 3,822 since Israel resumed its offensive 10 weeks ago, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New US-backed group says it has begun aid distribution in Gaza
A controversial new aid distribution group backed by the US and Israel has begun working in Gaza. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) said lorry loads of food had been delivered to secure sites and that it had begun distribution to people. It did not say where or how much aid had been handed out. The group, which uses armed American security contractors, aims to bypass the UN as the main supplier of aid to the 2.1 million Palestinians in Gaza, where experts are warning of a looming famine after an Israeli blockade that lasted 11 weeks. The UN and many aid groups have refused to co-operate with GHF's plans, which they say contradict humanitarian principles and appear to "weaponise aid". Israel says a new system is needed to stop Hamas stealing aid, which the group denies doing. Head of controversial Israel-backed Gaza aid group resigns Israeli strike kills dozens sheltering in Gaza school, officials say 'Situation is dire' - BBC returns to Gaza baby left hungry by Israeli blockade In a statement sent to journalists on Monday night, GHF announced that it had "commenced operations in Gaza" and delivered "truck loads of food to its Secure Distribution Sites, where distribution to the Gazan people began". "More trucks with aid will be delivered [on Tuesday], with the flow of aid increasing each day," it added. Handout photos showed just over a dozen men carrying away boxes from an unspecified location. The BBC has asked the GHF how many lorry loads of aid got in and how many people were able to pick up aid, but it has not yet received a response. The GHF's statement also said John Acree, a former senior manager at USAID - the US government agency responsible for administering foreign aid - had been named interim executive director. Acree succeeds Jake Wood, who resigned from the position on Sunday. Wood said the group's aid distribution system could not work in a way that would be able to fulfil the principles of "humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence". The GHF's board rejected the criticism, accusing "those who benefit from the status quo" of being more focused on "tearing this apart than on getting aid in". It said the system was fully consistent with humanitarian principles and would feed a million Palestinians by the end of the week. Under the GHF's mechanism, security-screened Palestinians will be expected to collect boxes containing food and basic hygiene items for their families from a small number of distribution sites which are mainly in southern Gaza. The sites will be secured by American contractors, with Israeli troops patrolling the perimeters. UN and other aid agencies insisted they will not co-operate with any scheme that fails to respect fundamental humanitarian principles. They have warned that the GHF's system will practically exclude those with mobility issues, including those with injuries, disabilities and the elderly, force further displacement, expose thousands of people to harm, make aid conditional on political and military aims, and set an unacceptable precedent for aid delivery around the world. They have said they have thousands of lorries waiting to go into Gaza and a detailed plan to ensure aid gets to people in need and looting is minimised. Hamas has warned Palestinians not to co-operate with GHF's system, saying it would "replace order with chaos, enforce a policy of engineered starvation of Palestinian civilians, and use food as a weapon during wartime". GHF's statement condemned what it said were "Hamas's death threats targeting aid groups supporting humanitarian operations at GHF's Safe Distribution Sites, and efforts to block the Gazan people from accessing aid at the sites". Israel imposed a total blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza on 2 March and resumed its military offensive two weeks later, ending a two-month ceasefire with Hamas. It said the steps were meant to put pressure on the armed group to release the 58 hostages still held in Gaza, up to 23 of whom are believed to be alive. On 19 May, the Israeli military launched an expanded offensive that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said would see troops "take control of all areas" of Gaza. The plan reportedly includes completely clearing the north of civilians and forcibly displacing them to the south. Netanyahu also said Israel would allow a "basic" amount of food into Gaza to prevent a famine following pressure from allies in the US. Since then, Israeli authorities say they have allowed at least 665 lorry loads of humanitarian aid, including flour, baby food and medical supplies, into Gaza. However, the head of the UN's World Food Programme warned on Sunday that the aid was only a "drop in the bucket" of what was needed in the territory to reverse the catastrophic levels of hunger, amid significant shortages of basic foods and skyrocketing prices. Half a million people face starvation in the coming months, according to an assessment by the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response Hamas's cross-border attack on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. At least 53,977 people have been killed in Gaza since then, including 3,822 since Israel resumed its offensive 10 weeks ago, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.
