UNITED NATIONS – A powerful interfaith coalition of more than 200 faith-based and secular organizations from over 15 countries is calling on the United Nations and world leaders to halt humanitarian aid distribution to Gaza through the embattled UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and instead shift support to the U.S.-funded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
In a strongly worded letter addressed to the U.N. Security Council and General Assembly, the coalition — which includes groups such as the Christian Jewish Alliance, Israel Christian Nexus, and the Multi-Faith Women’s Empowerment Council — accuses UNRWA of enabling Hamas to exploit and profit from international aid, in direct violation of humanitarian law.
Allegations of Aid Diversion and Corruption
The letter cites “multiple credible reports and firsthand testimonies” that Hamas has diverted an estimated $1 billion in aid since the start of the conflict, largely by siphoning UN-delivered resources or imposing taxes on aid that was intended to be free. Some U.N. staff members have also been accused of hoarding food, worsening the humanitarian crisis in the region.
“These practices amount to the weaponization of humanitarian aid,” the letter states. “They violate the most basic principles of international humanitarian law.”
GHF Touted as a Neutral, Effective Alternative
In stark contrast, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is being held up as a model for depoliticized aid delivery. Since May, the group has distributed over 123 million free meals, including 1.5 million in the last week alone — all delivered directly to civilians without Hamas interference.
Retired British Army Colonel Richard Kemp, who recently visited GHF operations in Gaza, called the initiative “a brilliantly conceived and extremely well executed operation,” adding that it represents “a turning point in the war” by undermining Hamas’s grip on aid.
U.N. and Hamas Pushback
Despite GHF’s successes, the coalition alleges that U.N. personnel on the ground have refused to collaborate with the organization and are actively seeking to undermine it. Hamas, viewing the group as a threat to its control over the aid economy, has reportedly issued bounties on GHF workers and carried out retaliatory acts of torture and killings targeting Palestinian staff linked to the foundation.
“The U.N. appears more interested in restoring a system that benefits Hamas than in delivering life-saving aid,” the letter asserts.
Policy Demands
The coalition is calling on the U.N. and international community to take urgent action by:
- Publicly defending GHF’s legitimacy and denouncing any attempts to obstruct its work.
- Establishing joint humanitarian operations between the U.N., GHF, and other credible partners.
- Launching an independent investigation into UNRWA’s alleged ties to Hamas and its failure to prevent aid diversion.
“There is overwhelming evidence that UNRWA-led aid in Gaza has been compromised,” the letter concludes. “The GHF offers a viable, neutral, and effective alternative that prioritizes the needs of civilians over the interests of armed groups.”
Growing Pressure for Reform
The coalition’s appeal adds to mounting international pressure on the U.N. to reform its Gaza aid strategy amid ongoing criticism of UNRWA’s role in the conflict. Analysts suggest the GHF model may serve as a template for future humanitarian operations in conflict zones where terrorist influence has long distorted relief efforts.
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