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Middle East Eye
4 days ago
- General
- Middle East Eye
Gaza Humanitarian Foundation accused of using charity logo without consent
US-based charity Rahma Worldwide has accused the newly created Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) of using photos of aid deliveries in Gaza containing its logo as part of its press pack without consent. The charity told The Guardian it had allowed GHF to take "custody" of its aid; however, on its Facebook account, it said GHF "took custody", leading to confusion over whether Rahma had provided consent. Rahma Worldwide is a Michigan-based charity that, according to its website, provides 'aid and assistance to the most vulnerable communities around the world'. Rahma said in a Facebook statement that it had been waiting for four days to transport 4,000 boxes of food and 16 containers of wheat into Gaza, but the logistics organisation that was supposed to transport aid 'did not deliver.' It said that GHF took custody of the aid and asked Rahma to 'assist with distribution', but Rahma refused. Rahma told The Guardian that it had asked for its logo to be removed from aid parcels. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Photos of the logo in GHF's press materials include both Rahma and a partner organisation called Heroic Hearts, based in Illinois. The controversial privately-run GHF, which is backed by Tel Aviv and Washington, was formed to oversee aid distribution across Gaza, with the intention of sidelining all existing structures, including the United Nations. Most humanitarian organisations, including the UN, have distanced themselves from GHF, arguing that the group violates humanitarian principles by restricting aid to south and central Gaza, requiring Palestinians to walk long distances to collect aid, and only providing limited aid, among other critiques. A former spokesperson for Unrwa has condemned the initiative as 'aid washing', a strategy meant to obscure the reality that 'people are being starved into submission'. Rahma Worldwide's logo on GHF's press materials implies a formal partnership and lends credibility to GHF, which has no experience with aid distribution and is being shunned by aid agencies. In the Facebook statement released on Thursday, Rahma said that it 'had noticed images of our food boxes with logo being distributed without Rahma's direct involvement". 'Rahma did not authorize such distribution and none of our team was allowed to participate in this process." It also added that it did not 'support or permit the presence' of armed groups during the distribution of aid. Siraj Muhammad, president of Heroic Hearts, told Middle East Eye in a statement that 'we are not in partnership with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) and are not involved in the aid distribution currently circulating in the media that features our branding'. 'These food parcels were part of a one-time shipment prepared in collaboration with Rahma Worldwide. Heroic Hearts and Rahma arranged the shipment to support vulnerable families in Gaza and coordinated the required approvals and logistics to ensure proper delivery,' Muhammad added. Muhammad said he regretted 'any confusion this may have caused'. Chaotic aid roll-out Chaos and violence erupted during GHF's first attempts to roll out aid at its distribution site in Rafah on Tuesday, as thousands of Palestinians, who have been denied food, water, and aid for 11 weeks, overwhelmed the distribution centre. What's inside the boxes of aid being distributed in Gaza? Read More » The Israeli military was accused of killing at least three civilians and injuring almost 50 others after it fired shots at people collecting aid, according to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. An Israeli military spokesperson said they were just firing 'warning shots'. Aid that has been distributed so far has been considered inadequate, with food boxes containing just a handful of ingredients. Jonathan Whittall, who heads the UN aid coordination office, said in a UN press release that 'People are being starved and then drip-fed in the most undignified way possible.' In addition, the executive director of GHF resigned from his position earlier this week, saying that Israeli restrictions meant that GHF could not adhere to 'humanitarian principles'. Controversy GHF has been rocked with controversy since its inception. Under the group's proposals, more than two million of Gaza's residents will be forced to collect food from one of four 'secure distribution sites'. None of the proposed sites are located in northern Gaza, a region that Israel has attacked and occupied, meaning those still living there will be forced to flee south to access life-saving aid. The deprivation of aid as a means to forcibly transfer a population is recognised as a crime against humanity. GHF's official announcement about its plans made no mention of Israel's repeated attacks on pre-existing food distribution centres, bakeries and aid convoys, in which hundreds of Palestinians have been killed while trying to feed their families, or Israel's obstruction of the pre-existing humanitarian system. Israel banned Unrwa, the primary UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees, from the country in January. The UN's emergency relief coordinator, Tom Fletcher, has described the plans put forward by GHF as a 'fig leaf for further violence and displacement'. Despite the January 2024 ruling by the International Court of Justice, which demanded immediate protection for civilians in Gaza and the widespread provision of humanitarian assistance, the situation has continued to deteriorate precipitously. A January 2025 survey of 35 humanitarian organisations working in Gaza revealed an overwhelming consensus: 100 percent reported that the approach taken by Israel was either ineffective, inadequate or had systematically impeded aid delivery. Rights groups say that warnings about mass malnutrition and the collapse of Gaza's health and social infrastructure have been ignored for years, and the imminent famine now afflicts a population that has been systematically deprived of food.
The Guardian
4 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
I've seen the reality of the new Israel-backed ‘aid' for Gaza. It's nothing more than a deadly PR stunt
Two days ago, Israeli soldiers fired on a massive crowd of starving Palestinians who just wanted to eat. Some of them had walked more than 10km to reach what was then the only aid distribution point in Gaza. They were looking for help from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a newly formed Israeli-backed logistics group that had set up a distribution centre in Rafah. Israel and GHF lost control of the crowd; Palestinians were shot and killed for seeking food, and dozens were injured. What the GHF is doing is nothing more than a public relations campaign: it is promoting the illusion that aid has begun entering the Strip in a meaningful way. What we have learned is that GHF only distributed eight trucks' worth of food on Wednesday. Moreover, a US charity, Rahma Worldwide, which had food parcels that it couldn't get into Gaza and so allowed them to be 'taken custody' by GHF, has accused the organisation of using its logo without permission in the aid distribution. (Rahma said it's opposed to working alongside GHF because of its use of armed security contractors.) Ultimately, there are tens of thousands of people across the Gaza Strip who will not be able to reach the newly created centres. Even if they function, they will not meet the ever-growing daily needs of the population here. As an aid worker, I heard the news this week in despair. This is not sustainable. It is no answer to the total siege that Israel has placed upon us. The unconditional entry of aid overseen by UN agencies is the only solution. Nineteen months ago, the catastrophe that we are experiencing would have been unimaginable. The scale of suffering and pain is beyond comprehension. People here walk the streets without food or drinkable water, and the standard of living has hit its lowest point in recent history, with crippling inflation and empty shelves. For more than 600 days, aid workers like myself have dedicated ourselves to caring for the people of Gaza under Israel's brutal occupation and bombardment. Israeli government ministers have declared their intention to ethnically cleanse all the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. With the comprehensive ban on all types of humanitarian and medical aid – and the only humanitarian crossing, Kerem Shalom in the south, closed since March – aid distribution has faced innumerable challenges. Our local aid distribution committee has been working in partnership with local and international entities to try to ease the suffering of civilians, especially children, amid the waves of displacement. Nineteen months of evacuation orders, where people are forced to flee with barely any notice, often under bombardment and in fear, has left everyone in a state of panic. People are unsure of where to go or what essential items – like food, water or blankets – to take with them. During the first waves of displacement, relief agencies set up dozens of camps in every region and established temporary infrastructure for water drainage and drinking water supply, depending on our ability to provide wells or coordinate with the remaining local municipalities in different areas of the Strip. But as the bombing and military operations intensified, our humanitarian efforts were constantly threatened. Despite repeated setbacks, we remained determined to continue reaching children, the injured and displaced people – many of whom have been forcibly displaced, an average of five times a family. Gaza has been under fire for almost 20 months, but the most horrifying chapter has unfolded over the past 90 days, with rockets and famine ravaging the bodies of children. I personally know many people who have been killed or injured. Aid organisations have continued our work amid this incomprehensible complexity, but at this stage, even the most basic proposals are unrealistic – trying to feed and care for thousands who can barely find daily sustenance. As the director of the UN World Food Programme (WPF) stated: the aid trucks that have entered are 'a drop in the ocean'. We cannot carry out our work unless the international community applies genuine pressure on Israel. Even the roads are closed and buildings are reduced to rubble, making aid delivery impossible. It cannot be clearer: we need unconditional access for food aid to avoid a more devastating catastrophe. Gaza needs at least 500 to 600 trucks every day to meet its humanitarian needs. A handful of centres operating in the south of the Strip is no replacement for the hundreds of distribution centres linked to UN programmes and institutions that have been forced to stop operations by the blockade. What must be said clearly is that there is an urgent need to stop the genocide and allow the unconditional entry of aid. It is only through distribution by UN agencies and the international community – not Israel – that we will begin to alleviate this crisis. Eyad Amawi is a coordinator for local NGOs. He is based in Gaza Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Charity accuses Israeli-backed Gaza aid group of using logo without permission
A US charity has accused the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the controversial US and Israeli-backed group that began food deliveries to Gaza this week, of distributing photographs with its logo on deliveries without permission. Images sent out by GHF this week showed shipments bearing a label from Rahma Worldwide, a US charity based in Michigan, as part of its first distribution of food to sites inside Gaza. The rollout was marred by scenes of chaos after crowds overran one distribution centre managed by GHF and Israeli forces said they had fired 'warning shots'. Gaza health officials said at least one civilian had been killed and 48 injured in the incident. The aid bearing the Rahma logo, which was prominently displayed in a press packet distributed by GHF, suggested to some media outlets that the groups were officially partnered. That would be an important endorsement as questions have grown over GHF's funding and lack of partners or experience in distributing aid. The UN and aid groups have also pushed back against the new system led by GHF. They say that Israel is trying to use food as a weapon and that a new system won't be effective. In a statement, Rahma said that it had previously 'secured all necessary permits' for 4,000 food boxes to cross into Gaza but none had entered. Israel has blocked the UN and other aid organisations from moving food into Gaza, where people are starving. Unable to get the food in, Rahma had allowed the containers to be 'taken custody' by GHF. Rahma added, however, that it had refused to allow its personnel to take part in the distribution because of GHF's use of armed security contractors. 'We noticed images of our food boxes with logo being distributed without Rahma's direct involvement,' the group said in a statement. 'Rahma did not authorise such distribution, and none of our team was permitted to participate in this process.' In a separate statement, Rahma's executive director and founder said it had allowed GHF to transport the aid, which had been stuck at the border, due to the 'severe need in Gaza' but had demanded a formal explanation for why that aid had been distributed under its name. 'We stipulated that the Rahma logo be removed from the aid parcels,' said Dr Shadi Omar Zaza, the head of Rahma. 'To our surprise, the organisation's logo was not removed, and the security company distributed these parcels bearing the Rahma Worldwide logo.' The group has refused to cooperate with GHF because of its use of armed security contractors, which Zaza said violated the group's operational charter and humanitarian mandate. 'We will not accept, and will not be part of, this aid distribution mechanism – because we do not allow armed actors, we do not allow any armed party to interfere in our relief work,' he said. GHF has been approached for comment.
Days of Palestine
04-05-2025
- Health
- Days of Palestine
Volunteer Doctors Experience Tragedy, Genocide in Gaza
DaysofPal- At Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza, four volunteer doctors share their experiences of working amidst the devastation. Their days are filled with relentless efforts to save lives, but the overwhelming scale of suffering leaves them grappling with feelings of inadequacy and sorrow. Dr. Ehab Massad, a thoracic surgeon and member of a medical mission organized by Rahma Worldwide, struggles to process the harrowing scenes he encounters daily. 'It's impossible to forget the images of starving, traumatized, and injured children,' he says. Despite their tireless work, Massad feels that what they can offer is never enough. 'But at least I feel like I'm doing my part now rather than sitting outside Gaza helplessly watching the news.' This sentiment is shared by three other volunteer doctors who spoke to Al Jazeera. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Anas Hijjawi describes how hundreds of doctors have signed up for missions to Gaza, some waiting months for an opportunity to serve. Meanwhile, ophthalmic surgeon Dr. Diyaa Rachdan fights to steady his voice as he reflects on the end of their mission. 'We're leaving tomorrow, but I hope there will be more—and longer—trips to Gaza in the future,' he adds. The challenges faced by these doctors extend far beyond emotional exhaustion. The Israeli blockade, now entering its 19th month, has severely restricted the flow of medical supplies into Gaza. As a result, the volunteers must make do with limited resources, often reusing disposable tools due to necessity—a practice that risks infections but leaves them no choice. Dr. Hijjawi explains the constant frustration of being unable to provide adequate care. 'Sometimes we lack basic items like metal plates or screws needed for surgeries. We improvise because it's the only way to stabilize patients so they might seek further treatment elsewhere someday.' Dr. Mohammad Almanaseer, a urology consultant based in Qatar, echoes this despair. He recounts the profound exhaustion of Gaza's overworked medical teams, who have been laboring non-stop for nearly two years despite personal tragedies. His voice breaks as he recalls Kinan, a two-year-old boy brought to the emergency room after surviving an Israeli airstrike that killed his mother. 'The resuscitation attempts were made, and we rushed him into surgery, but it became clear that he wouldn't survive,' Almanaseer remembers. The child passed away the next morning. 'He was the same age as my son, and even shared his name—Kinan. May God embrace him and his mother.' Stories like Kinan's haunt the medical staff, yet they press on, treating countless others whose injuries demand urgent attention while less critical cases are pushed aside indefinitely. Among those awaiting care are patients requiring cataract surgery, some of whom benefited from Dr. Rachdan's expertise during this mission. Despite the unimaginable hardships, the resilience of the Gazan people inspires awe among the visiting doctors. Dr. Hijjawi recounts meeting an operating room nurse who faces each day knowing it could be his last. One afternoon, ambulances arrived carrying news that the nurse's home had been bombed. His family members were brought back—parents killed, others injured—but just two days later, the nurse returned to work without complaint. Children, however, remain the heartbreakingly silent witnesses to this tragedy. Visibly affected by their pain, the doctors speak softly when interacting with young patients. Dr. Almanaseer visits a girl recovering from severe burns covering much of her body. She quietly asks if she'll be left with scars. In another room, Dr. Hijjawi examines a young girl's leg and gently encourages a boy to wiggle his toes to assess healing progress. In one corner lies a girl wrapped in a recovery blanket, her bandaged arm needing evaluation. Squatting beside her bed, Hijjawi carefully moves her fingers, noting concern about lost sensation in two digits. He explains the need for surgical exploration to worried relatives. The children rarely cry out or complain, instead lying still, wide-eyed, enduring their pain in silence. Many wait anxiously for loved ones who may never come. 'Their minds drift off, overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty,' Hijjawi observes. 'They're dealing with so much—physical pain, loneliness, and the trauma of losing family members. It's no wonder they stay quiet for hours.' For these volunteer doctors, the memories of Gaza's suffering children will linger long after their departure. While they leave behind fear, pain, and destruction, they also carry faint glimmers of hope inspired by the courage of the people they served. Shortlink for this post:
Associated Press
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Director Monketh Aldabbagh Announces Expansion from the UAE to the U.S., Bridging Cultures Through Filmmaking
Monketh Aldabbagh, presently on the way to America, reinforces with his unique perspective on visual storytelling the developing global impact of Emirati media. Beginning with his work on television and cultural programming in the UAE, Aldabbagh has made successful inroads into the American media scene, producing content that seeks to establish a bridge between the East and the West. Aldabbagh emerged as a storyteller who respects cultural traditions while playing with modern storytelling aesthetics, directing such iconic Emirati programs as Zayed's Legacy and Hadeeth Al Thekrayat. His works have crossed borders, allowing him to practice filmmaking in an alien landscape while remaining true to the heart of his artistic vision. 'We are the storytellers, and as filmmakers, we assume the responsibility of telling compelling stories that resonate deeply in the audiences' hearts,' Aldabbagh said. 'Whether here in the Middle East or the U.S., a story connects, informs cultural comprehension, and opens doors to dialogue.' The past couple of years have marked a change in the artist's life since moving to the States. The media company Idea Film, which he operates between the U.S. and the Emirates, undertook many star-filled projects, from managing media content for the Rahma Worldwide charitable organization active in over sixteen countries. His know-how of the field has paved the way for inland relationships with considerable American outfits, promoting the interaction of media culture. For Aldabbagh, advertising is everything, be it Pizza Hut, Nissan, or Toyota in international television, cinema, and commercial production; along with government agencies and influencers, he aims to help create world-class digital content with the media strategy within the UAE. 'It's about the collection of a moment and preservation of identity, telling unseen stories, and making bridges to understanding all over the world,' Aldabbagh added. 'Each project I take on creates space for me to display the richness of my culture in welcoming new ways of expression.' His astute management of the constraints presented by Eastern and Western media has placed him square in the center of the industry itself. The East uses the media as a sort of protection layer for the preservation of traditional values, while the West uses it in its continuous attempts to break tradition and innovate film. Aldabbagh merges both mediums such that their content is considered significant, entertaining, and culturally relevant. Together with Aldabbagh, the Idea Film team is working on a new television serial for an Emirati channel, creditably high-profile Ramadan projects, several commercials, and a song titled Be Mercy to be released soon during the holy month. Aldabbagh trusts that the present-day media would serve as a substantial continuation of civilizational exchange. With his advanced knowledge and experience of Arab and international media, he aims to continue furthering his filmmaking efforts as bridges for audiences to cross beyond language and geographical boundaries. 'Aldabbagh stresses that in this day and age, media is so highly ubiquitous that one must be very intentional about the stories told. Filmmaking can change attitudes, educate, and bond people together. I want that power to effect meaningful change,' he said. Idea Film, visit City: Dubai
