Israel Matches U.S. $30M Aid for Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Amid Criticism

Senior Trump administration officials told Congress that Israel agreed to match a U.S. award of $30 million to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), according to sources cited by Reuters. The U.S. State Department previously announced its $30 million contribution in June, but Israel’s funding had not been disclosed until now.

GHF, a private U.S.-based charity, operates aid distribution sites in southern Gaza and has been criticized by the United Nations and aid groups for alleged safety risks and lack of impartiality. GHF denies these allegations, while Israel accuses the U.N.-led system of allowing Hamas to divert supplies, an accusation Hamas rejects.

Aryeh Lightstone and Charles Leith, aides to Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, briefed U.S. lawmakers in early July, noting Israel’s matched funding would sustain GHF operations through July. They also expressed hopes that additional donors would support expanding aid sites from four to eight by August.

President Donald Trump recently claimed the U.S. provided $60 million in Gaza aid, though officials believe he may have conflated U.S. and Israeli contributions. The State Department confirmed only the initial $30 million allocation.

GHF, relying on private military and logistics firms, has not disclosed its donors and says it continues to press Israel to approve additional aid routes, including into northern Gaza. Amid reports of acute hunger and rising deaths from starvation, international pressure is mounting on Israel to ease restrictions.

The conflict, which began after Hamas-led attacks in October 2023, has killed over 60,000 people in Gaza, according to local health officials. While Israel denies intentionally starving civilians, recent steps include temporary ceasefires and expanded aid access to address the worsening humanitarian crisis.