U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) recently concluded a bipartisan trip to Israel, emphasizing the critical need to secure the release of hostages, surge humanitarian aid to Gaza civilians, and counter Hamas's influence. During his visit, which concluded on August 6, 2025, Gottheimer toured the Kerem Shalom border crossing and a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) coordination site to observe aid delivery efforts firsthand. He stressed the importance of ensuring aid reaches those in need, not "Hamas terrorists who continue to steal food from innocent Palestinians," as stated in a tweet by Rep. Gottheimer.
The lawmaker's visit underscored a persistent challenge in Gaza: the effective and secure distribution of humanitarian assistance. According to Gottheimer's office, Hamas allegedly diverted over $500 million in aid last year alone. However, internal analyses by some U.S. agencies, including USAID, have reportedly found no widespread evidence of systematic Hamas theft of U.S.-funded humanitarian supplies, presenting a conflicting narrative on the extent of diversion.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.- and Israel-backed private organization established in February 2025 and operational since May 2025, was created to bypass traditional aid mechanisms, particularly those led by the United Nations, which Israel claims are susceptible to Hamas interference. Gottheimer's inspection of a GHF site highlights the U.S. and Israeli commitment to this new model.
Despite its stated goal, GHF has drawn significant criticism from a broad coalition of UN experts and over 170 non-governmental organizations. Critics accuse GHF of militarizing aid, violating humanitarian principles of neutrality and impartiality, and contributing to forced displacement. Its former executive director resigned shortly after its launch, citing an inability to adhere to humanitarian principles. Reports indicate that hundreds of Palestinians seeking aid have been killed or injured around GHF distribution sites, leading to calls for the foundation's dismantling by UN experts and humanitarian groups. Swiss authorities also ordered GHF's Geneva office closed for non-compliance with legal requirements.
The ongoing debate surrounding aid diversion and the controversial GHF model underscores the complex humanitarian landscape in Gaza. Gottheimer’s visit aimed to gain a direct understanding of these dynamics, asserting that "promoting stability in the Middle East strengthens U.S. national security."