Human Rights Groups Urge Gaza Humanitarian Foundation to Halt Operations, Warn of War Crimes Complicity

More than a dozen human rights organizations on Monday called for an immediate halt to the operations of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), warning that its controversial aid distribution model could render it complicit in war crimes.

In an open letter, 15 organizations condemned the US-backed group for what they described as a “privatized, militarized” form of humanitarian relief that has led to chaos, casualties, and mass displacement in the Gaza Strip.

“This new model of privatized, militarized aid distribution constitutes a radical and dangerous shift away from established international humanitarian relief operations,” the letter said. It labeled GHF’s efforts “dehumanizing, repeatedly deadly,” and accused the group of exacerbating the suffering it claims to alleviate.

The signatories—including the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), the Palestinian Center for Human Rights, the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR), and the International Commission of Jurists—urged GHF and all supporting entities to “cease their operations immediately.”

“Failure to do so,” the letter warned, “may expose these organizations and individuals to criminal and civil liability for aiding and abetting or otherwise being complicit in crimes under international law, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide.”

GHF, which began distributing aid on May 26 after Israel fully sealed off Gaza for over two months, has come under fire for operating without coordination with the United Nations or major NGOs. Both the UN and leading aid agencies have refused to collaborate with the foundation, citing concerns it serves Israeli military aims rather than neutral humanitarian goals.

Since GHF began distributing food packages, at least 450 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 3,500 injured in incidents near its aid sites, according to figures from the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. Eyewitnesses and local emergency responders have blamed the chaos at GHF aid points for the deaths, but the foundation denies responsibility.

Despite mounting criticism, GHF has continued to operate amid increasing scrutiny of its opaque funding sources and operational practices.