A US$500m allocation for GHF from USAID?

The U.S. State Department is mulling over a potential allocation of US$500 million to the newly established Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), according to two informed sources and two former U.S. officials.

The proposed funding, which would come from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)—currently being integrated into the State Department—would increase U.S. involvement in a complex and politically sensitive aid initiative aimed at supporting Gaza, an area significantly impacted by recent conflict.

The individuals provided this information on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the discussions.

The plan has met resistance from some U.S. officials concerned with the deadly shootings of Palestinians near aid distribution sites and the competence of the GHF.

GHF itself has come under severe criticism from various organisations, including the United Nations, allegedly for a lack of neutrality.

A key issue regarding this allocation is that the USAID is all but dismantled.

Some 80 percent of its programs have been canceled and its staff face termination as part of President Donald Trump’s drive to align U.S. foreign policy with his “America First” agenda.

One source with knowledge of the matter and one former senior official said the proposal to give the $500 million to GHF has been championed by acting deputy USAID Administrator Ken Jackson, who has helped oversee the agency’s dismemberment.

The source said that Israel requested the funds to underwrite GHF’s operations for 180 days.

Since launching its operation, only two out of three GHF hubs been functioning.