State Department cites 90 million meals delivered to Gaza, defends Gaza Humanitarian Foundation amid criticism

The State Department said the United States has supported delivery of about 90 million meals into Gaza during the conflict and urged additional international backing for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) as a way to reach civilians without food being looted, a department spokesperson said. Reporters pressed the department on widespread concerns that parts of Gaza — particularly the north — are not receiving sufficient aid and on allegations that Israel’s control of borders has constrained access. The spokesperson rejected a characterization that Israel is “weaponizing” aid, and said instead that Hamas has looted shipments and “weaponized” aid when it has taken supplies. “Short of Hamas doing something, changing its behavior, the US government will allow the situation to proceed as is,” the spokesperson said, adding the administration remains committed to getting as much aid as possible into Gaza in ways that prevent looting. Reporters cited independent aid assessments and statements from the World Health Organization and humanitarian agencies, including a report that dozens of young children had died from malnutrition and that many regions remain underserved. The spokesperson said the United States has pressed for humanitarian corridors and supports efforts to scale up the GHF and similar mechanisms. Critics at the briefing noted that before the creation of GHF there were reportedly “about 400 points” where people could access food, while GHF distribution sites are concentrated in southern Gaza, which raises access problems for residents of the north. Journalists also asked whether GHF distributes high-nutrient food and whether the U.S. government has oversight of where food goes once it leaves distribution sites; the spokesperson said he would take back questions about specific food composition and distribution oversight. The department highlighted an example cited by reporters that Jordan delivered approximately 110 aid trucks including baby formula and flour to Gaza working with the World Food Programme and World Central Kitchen, and said international coordination aimed at expanding delivery mechanisms remains a priority. The State Department reiterated that any future adjustments to humanitarian routing or support for alternate delivery mechanisms would be announced when decided.