Tensions around humanitarian aid operations in Gaza escalated sharply this week, as the US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) accused Hamas of attacking a bus carrying its Palestinian staff, killing at least five workers. The alleged assault, which GHF says took place on Wednesday night, targeted a vehicle en route to a distribution center in southern Gaza.
The GHF stated the attack followed days of threats from Hamas, claiming the armed group aimed to disrupt the foundation’s work. While Hamas has not commented on the latest allegations, it previously denied making any threats toward GHF personnel.
The BBC has not independently verified the claims, and the Israeli military, while not directly confirming the event, echoed GHF’s condemnation and accused Hamas of obstructing aid to maintain control over the territory.
Formed on May 26, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation was designed to bypass traditional aid channels such as the United Nations and other NGOs, with support from the US and Israel. Since its inception, however, the foundation’s operations have drawn fierce criticism and have been plagued by frequent violence.
Human rights groups and international aid agencies have refused to cooperate with the GHF, arguing that the mechanism violates humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality, and independence. Critics also say the system endangers civilians by forcing them to gather at overcrowded and heavily militarized aid distribution points.
Indeed, Wednesday was marked by further tragedy beyond the bus attack: local doctors reported that dozens of Palestinians were killed or injured by Israeli soldiers as they tried to access aid at GHF distribution sites. The Gaza Health Ministry, operated by Hamas, claims that more than 200 Palestinians have died and nearly 2,000 have been wounded attempting to reach aid since GHF began its operations.
In a statement, GHF condemned the killing of its workers as a “heinous and deliberate attack” and expressed concern that some staff members may have been taken hostage. The foundation maintains that 43,000 food parcels were distributed “without incident” across Gaza on the same day.
Despite these numbers, aid agencies criticize the GHF’s strategy as inadequate and dangerous. The model of centralized, high-risk distribution hubs has drawn particular ire amid daily reports of deadly shootings involving Israeli forces and armed Palestinian groups.
As the situation worsens, the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Gaza remains a contentious and deadly challenge—entangled in politics, distrust, and violence on all sides.