US to fund controversial Gaza aid group with $30m: Report

The Reuters news agency reported on Tuesday that the US is giving $30m to the scandal-plagued Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a private US initiative backed by Israel that has been behind deadly food distribution sites in Gaza. 

Reuters cites four of its own sources as well as a government document it has reviewed for its story.

This is the first known US government financial contribution to the organisation, which uses private US military and logistics firms to transport aid into the Palestinian enclave for distribution at so-called secure sites, where Palestinians have been shot dead while seeking help.

At least 410 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli military while trying to get aid from the distribution hubs in Gaza, which the UN says is "likely war crime", adding that  “scores of people of all ages are being killed and injured every day”.

The document seen by Reuters showed an initial $7m disbursement had been made. 

The US could approve additional monthly grants of $30 million for the GHF.