The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have been heavily scrutinized over their handling of the war, particularly when it comes to damage to civilian areas and the distribution of humanitarian aid. However, Ret. British Col. Richard Kemp told Fox News Digital that Israel is doing everything it can to avoid civilian casualties whenever possible. Kemp, who recently returned from a trip to Israel and Gaza, said that the war has been “very tough” as Hamas continues to embed itself among the civilian population or in tunnels.

Israeli soldiers walk out from a tunnel underneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis at the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing ground operation of the Israeli army against Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, June 8, 2025.  (REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)

When asked about the criticism GHF has faced from the international community — particularly the United Nations — Kemp said that the organization is working in a way that is “uniquely suitable” for the situation in Gaza. He argued that the U.N. is attempting to apply a “standard template solution,” which does not work for Gaza, as evidenced by the amount of aid stolen by Hamas.

“Some of them told me it was the first time since the war began, 20 months ago, that they have actually received any free aid at all,” Kemp told Fox News Digital. He said that in some instances, Hamas would steal aid and sell the goods at premium prices that many civilians could not afford.

Kemp emphasized the need for other nations and major humanitarian organizations to support the GHF and noted the recent $30 million in funding the organization had received from the U.S.

“No other country that I know of has directly contributed funding to the GHF, and they should do so because the GHF, not the U.N., is the future of aid deliveries into Gaza,” Kemp told Fox News Digital. He also acknowledged that the U.N. has a role to play, but added that it must be “in the interest of the people of Gaza, not bureaucracy.”