The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) is under intense scrutiny following a series of deadly incidents near its aid distribution centers. On May 18, 2025, the Israeli army conducted a raid in Balata village, east of Nablus, detaining one Palestinian. This raid coincided with a troubling period for GHF, which has been distributing aid in Gaza amid ongoing violence.

In an exclusive interview with ABC News, Reverend Dr. Johnnie Moore, the new executive chairman of GHF, addressed the recent fatalities linked to the organization’s aid efforts. He noted that dozens of people have been killed near distribution sites, prompting the closure of one center just ten days after it opened. Moore stated, "We can't control what happens outside the distribution points," acknowledging the chaos surrounding aid distribution in a war zone.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that their troops opened fire in areas near GHF's aid sites on both Sunday and Tuesday. They clarified that shots were fired "towards" individuals who deviated from designated routes, not directly at them. Moore admitted that some deaths resulted from IDF actions but also attributed blame to Hamas. Health officials reported at least 57 fatalities and nearly 300 injuries from the shootings, leading GHF to pause its operations for 24 hours.

When questioned about whether GHF's aid plan contributed to the violence, Moore firmly disagreed, stating, "I think that's a quite cynical point of view." He emphasized that GHF has distributed 10 million meals to Gazans since its inception, serving thousands of people in a population of approximately 2.2 million.

Moore described the incidents as tragic, explaining that individuals may have strayed from secure corridors leading to the distribution points. In light of the violence, GHF has temporarily closed its centers and is collaborating with other organizations to prevent future incidents. "I'm not doing this for anybody to die," he asserted.

Despite the challenges, Moore defended GHF's operations against accusations of mismanagement. He confirmed that no identification is required for Gazans to access aid, raising concerns about potential exploitation by Hamas. However, he claimed there is "no evidence" that aid has been seized by the group. Moore expressed confidence that GHF is addressing the issues and plans to enhance verification processes over time.

International aid agencies have distanced themselves from GHF, citing violations of humanitarian principles. Critics argue that the organization’s distribution model forces vulnerable populations to traverse dangerous areas to receive aid. Moore rejected this notion, asserting that GHF aims to reach the most at-risk individuals.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk condemned the situation, stating, "Palestinians have been presented the grimmest of choices: die from starvation or risk being killed while trying to access the meager food that is being made available through Israel’s militarized humanitarian assistance mechanism." He emphasized that this system endangers lives and contravenes international aid standards.

Moore clarified that GHF is in communication with the IDF to manage secure corridors but refrained from commenting on whether Israel provides funding to the organization. He acknowledged the controversy surrounding GHF, particularly following the resignation of Executive Director Jake Wood, who cited concerns over the group's impartiality.

As of Thursday, GHF's aid distribution sites have faced closures and brief re-openings, particularly in Rafah, Gaza. Moore expressed hope for future cooperation with major aid organizations, stating, "My message to them is like, stop criticizing us, just join us, and we can learn from them if people have better ideas." He aims to expand GHF's operations significantly, beyond the current eight distribution centers.