US-backed Gaza aid group appoints evangelical pastor as new chairman
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) on Tuesday appointed an evangelical pastor with close ties to US President Donald Trump as its new leader.
Reverend Dr. Johnnie Moore was announced as the executive chairman following the recent resignation of Jake Wood last weekend, GHF announced in a statement.
Wood said GHF was not following 'humanitarian principles.'
Moore was previously appointed by President Trump as a Commissioner on the US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).
'GHF is demonstrating that it is possible to move vast quantities of food to people who need it most—safely, efficiently, and effectively. I am honored to bring my experience to bear to help scale this vital mission and ensure the humanitarian aid community and the broader international community understand what's taking place on the ground,' he said in a statement.
He said GHF believes that serving Gazans 'with dignity and compassion must be the top priority' and welcomed others to join the effort.
The UN and other aid groups have criticized GHF, but Moore said false reporting of violence at the aid sites in Gaza has 'a chilling effect on the local population, and we can think of no greater disservice to a community in dire need.'
At least 27 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded by Israeli fire near a food distribution site in the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, local health authorities said, in the third day of chaos and bloodshed to affect the aid operation.
The Israeli military said its forces had opened fire on a group of individuals who had left designated access routes near the distribution center in Rafah. On June 1, some 32 people were killed and on Monday three people were killed, according to the UN.
The US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation launched its first distribution sites last week in an effort to alleviate widespread hunger amongst Gaza's war-battered population, most of whom have had to abandon their homes to flee fighting.
The foundation's aid plan, which bypasses traditional aid groups, has come under fierce criticism from the United Nations and established charities which say it does not follow humanitarian principles.
The private group, which is endorsed by Israel, said it distributed 21 truckloads of food early on Tuesday and that the aid operation was 'conducted safely and without incident within the site.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
International community has duty to help achieve a Palestinian state, UN chief tells Arab News
NEW YORK CITY: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday told Arab News that the international community has a duty to do everything in its power to pursue a two-state solution to the conflict between Israel and Palestine, and to bring about the conditions that can make it happen. 'It is absolutely essential to keep alive the two-state solution perspective, with all the terrible things we are witnessing in Gaza and the West Bank,' he said. 'And for those who have doubts about the two-state solution, I ask what is the alternative? Is it a one-state solution in which either the Palestinians are expelled or the Palestinians will be forced to live on their land without rights? That would be totally unacceptable. 'I firmly believe that it is the duty of the international community to do everything to keep the two-state solution alive and then to materialize the conditions to make it happen.' His comments came as Saudi Arabia and France prepare to co-chair a global conference this month in an attempt to hasten the implementation of a two-state solution and end decades of conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. The effort gained further international support this week amid worsening conditions in Gaza as a result of Israel's continuing intensification of military operations following the collapse in March of a previous ceasefire agreement with Hamas, and its decision to block humanitarian aid from entering the territory. These actions have resulted in thousands of Palestinian deaths, the widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, further mass displacements, and severe risk of famine, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, an initiative that aims to improve food security analysis and decision-making. The devastating toll of Israel's resumed assault on Gaza has sparked international anger, and Arab representatives have said the upcoming conference must look beyond mere diplomacy and deliver tangible steps on a path toward peace. Speaking at a meeting of the UN General Assembly this month in preparation for the forum, Saudi Arabia said official recognition of the State of Palestine was a 'strategic necessity' as 'the cornerstone of a new regional order based on mutual recognition and coexistence.' It added: 'Regional peace begins with recognizing the State of Palestine, not as a symbolic gesture but as a strategic necessity.' The high-level conference, scheduled to take place from June 17 to 20 at the UN headquarters in New York, aims to urgently adopt concrete measures to achieve the implementation of a two-state solution. Palestine is officially recognized by 147 of the UN's 193 member states and has held the status of nonmember observer state within the organization since 2012, but has not been granted full membership. More than 53,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israeli authorities unleashed its military operations in Gaza following a Hamas-led attack that killed 1,200 people in Israel in October 2023. On Wednesday, Guterres led a solemn tribute to 168 UN workers killed during 2024, describing the ceremony as not only a moment of mourning but a call for global reflection on the dangers faced by humanitarian workers. Of those who were honored, 126 were killed in Gaza and all but one of them served with the UN Relief and Works Agency. Guterres said 2024 was the deadliest year for UN staff in the organization's history and added: 'More than one in every 50 UNRWA staff in Gaza has been killed in this atrocious conflict. Some were killed delivering life-saving aid, others alongside their families, and others while shielding the vulnerable.' Families of the fallen were present at the annual memorial ceremony, during which Guterres described those who lost their lives as 'extraordinary individuals, each one a story of courage, compassion and service.' He emphasized the enduring commitment of UN workers despite growing global instability and said: 'They do not seek recognition. They seek to make a difference. When conflict erupts, they work for peace. When rights are violated, they speak out.' Guterres condemned the targeting of humanitarian workers and civilians in conflict zones and warned against what he called a growing tolerance for impunity. 'We will not accept the killing of UN personnel, of humanitarians, journalists, medical workers, or civilians as the new normal,' he said. 'There must be no room for impunity.' Despite increasing criticism of international institutions and growing shortfalls in funding for aid, Guterres said the dedication of UN staff remains unwavering. 'In a world where cooperation is under strain, we must remember the example set by our fallen colleagues,' he added. He pledged to uphold the core values of the UN, stating: 'We will not waver in our principles. We will not abandon our values. And we will never, ever give up.'
Al Arabiya
2 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Trump signs new travel ban targeting 12 countries after Colorado protest attack
In this episode of W News, presented by Leigh-Ann Gerrans, we report on US President Donald Trump signing a new travel ban set to take effect Monday. The measure targets 12 countries – including Afghanistan, Iran, and Yemen –and follows a makeshift flamethrower attack on a Jewish protest in Colorado. Authorities say the suspect was in the US illegally. We also report on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's claim that NATO allies are close to meeting Trump's demand for a sharp rise in defense spending, with a deal expected ahead of this month's summit. Guests: Sara Firth – Correspondent James Jackson – Journalist Jim Townsend – Former Pentagon official
Asharq Al-Awsat
2 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Israeli Finance Minister Says Banks Should Not Obey EU Sanctions on Settlers
Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Thursday condemned the country's banks that have refused to provide services to Israeli settlers sanctioned by the European Union and warned they may have to pay compensation to them. The EU last year imposed sanctions on five Israeli settlers for violence against Palestinians and Smotrich said there were reports of sanctions being considered against other settlers. But in a letter to the banking supervisor, he said Israeli banks should not follow a "zero risk" policy since it leads to the abandonment of Israeli clients "under the guise of compliance with foreign sanctions." In a statement quoting his letter to the regulator, Smotrich called on banks to use their legal, economic, and international strength to fight "unjust sanctions", Reuters reported. "The banks' enormous profits enable them to take measured risks on behalf of their clients — especially when it comes to a national moral injustice," Smotrich, who leads the far-right Religious Zionism party, said. Should banks continue to comply with sanctions and harm clients, Smotrich said he intended to promote immediate legislation that would require banks to pay substantial compensation to affected customers. He also intends to require the Bank of Israel itself to offer banking services to citizens targeted by sanctions. Responding to the letter, the Bank of Israel said that while banks must comply with international sanctions to avoid an array of risks, a draft directive it published on Thursday aimed to ensure appropriate banking services were available for the affected customers. "Circumventing foreign sanctions regimes through the Israeli banking system exposes banking corporations to multiple risks, including compliance risks, anti-money laundering and counter-terror financing risks, legal risks, and reputational risks," the central bank said. But it said it has taken steps to comply with sanctions "without banks resorting to blanket refusals to serve such customers." While the sanctions in question concern Israeli settlers, the EU is reviewing its broad pact governing its political and economic ties with Israel in the face of mounting international pressure on Israel amid complaints about the lack of humanitarian aid reaching Gaza in the wake of the war triggered by Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 attack.
