The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), with support from the U.S. and Israel, has distributed some 70 million meals to Gazans since May. But its aid distribution system has been under consistent attack from Hamas and from some unlikely quarters — the world’s leading aid groups.

Earlier this month, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini called for the “end to the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) since it provides nothing but starvation and gunfire to the people of Gaza.” He went on to call it an “abomination.”

His statement noted that 230 NGOs, including Amnesty International, Oxfam International, Norwegian Refugee Council and Save the Children signed their names to an open letter criticizing GHF while urging a return to the U.N.-led aid distribution model.

GHF released a statement Friday as the war of words continued. 

“These false and misleading stats come directly from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry,” the statement said. “The U.N.’s reliance and coordination with a terrorist organization to falsely smear our effort is not only disturbing but should be investigated by the international community.” 

Hamas has responded violently to GHF’s arrival on the aid scene. Acree said that GHF’s operation “is going against [Hamas’] system of stealing foreign aid, of controlling the market prices, of basically robbing the Palestinians that live in Gaza of their livelihoods and their economic welfare, and we’re breaking that.” 

So far, 12 Palestinian GHF staff members have been killed and possibly submitted to “summary execution” on June 11. On July 5, two “highly decorated” U.S. veterans working with GHF were harmed in a grenade attack at a GHF distribution site.

Hamas terrorists stand in formation as Palestinians gather on a street to watch the handover of three Israeli hostages to a Red Cross team in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, Feb. 8, 2025. (Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Acree said that GHF is evolving. The organization “did not expect the desperation” it encountered. 

“We’ve been told by the Gazans this is the first time they’ve ever received free aid or food, and they’ve had to pay for it up til now,” he said. To counter that desperation, Acree said that GHF is “taking measures now to help tap that tension and to help them understand that we’re there to help and relieve that hunger.” 

He said the group still needs “more aid. We still need a lot more help,” which includes partnerships with the U.N. and NGOs. 

The U.S. Agency for Infrastructure and Development has given $30 million to the GHF. Two sources who spoke to Reuters said the U.S. may approve $30 million per month in grants to the GHF in the future.