The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) resumed operations on Sunday after a one-day shutdown triggered by direct threats from Hamas. The Trump administration-backed initiative, protected by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), had temporarily closed on Saturday to protect staff and civilians amid escalating hostilities.
GHF has emerged as a rare alternative to Hamas and United Nations-controlled aid efforts in Gaza. In less than two weeks, the organization has distributed nearly 10 million free meals. Its direct-to-citizen delivery model bypasses both Hamas, which has a long history of diverting aid for its own purposes, and the UN, which critics argue enables corruption and inefficiency. Hamas, angered by its loss of control over aid distribution, has responded with threats and violence, including reportedly firing on civilians attempting to reach aid sites.
A GHF spokesperson confirmed that Saturday’s closure was necessary to avoid bloodshed. “Hamas is the reason hundreds of thousands of hungry Gazans were not fed today,” the statement read. “These threats made it impossible to proceed today without putting innocent lives at risk.” The spokesperson added that Hamas seeks to return to its previous system of manipulating and profiting from humanitarian aid. Despite the setback, GHF vowed to press forward, adapting operations to maintain secure and independent food distribution.
On Sunday, the group delivered over 1.6 million meals across three sites and launched a new location in central Gaza. A pilot project also began in northern Mawasi, expanding GHF’s reach. The swift reopening signals the group’s resilience and determination to counter Hamas influence by offering Palestinians unfiltered, no-cost humanitarian assistance.
The GHF’s model of bypassing traditional aid gatekeepers has made it a flashpoint in the broader geopolitical struggle over Gaza’s future. Unlike the UN and other international NGOs that often coordinate through Hamas-controlled channels, GHF delivers food directly to civilians, removing intermediaries that have historically profited from aid diversion. This approach has earned it both praise for effectiveness and criticism from entities that stand to lose influence.
The Trump administration has continued to promote GHF as a cornerstone of its post-war humanitarian strategy, arguing that only independent aid models can ensure accountability and transparency. With the backing of the IDF, the initiative is also seen as a tool to sustain military pressure on Hamas without triggering international outcry over civilian suffering. As aid resumes, GHF remains a direct challenge to the status quo in Gaza’s humanitarian landscape.
