U.S. approves $30 million for Gaza Humanitarian Foundation amid questions over access and security

The U.S. Department of State announced during a press briefing that it has approved $30,000,000 in funding for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), and urged other countries to support the group’s relief work in Gaza.

The announcement came amid repeated questions from reporters about whether the money has been handed over, how widely aid is being distributed and reports of violent incidents at distribution sites. A State Department spokesperson said, “we have approved funding for $30,000,000 to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, and we call on other countries to also support the GHF...and its critical work.” The spokesperson added that the administration views the GHF’s reported track record — “a track record of distributing over 46,000,000 meals distributed to date” — as evidence of deliveries reaching people in Gaza.

Why it matters: Aid access and security are central to international relief efforts in Gaza. Reporters pressed officials on whether the U.S. funding will expand distribution sites, whether other organizations such as the World Food Programme are being asked to operate in Gaza and whether U.S. support includes…