The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation chaired an unrestricted disaster, and everything about the failure of the U.S. and Israel-backed groups is foreseeable. Israeli authorities attacked the months-old GHF after blocking relief supplies in the Gaza Strip, the main aid delivery system for hungry Palestinian residents. Since its operation began last week, dozens of civilians have been killed by gunfire while seeking to enter the food distribution center. At least twice this week, GHF suspended its relief efforts to improve safety.
Regardless of your view on Israel’s actions in the Hamas war with Gaza, you should understand that its delivery system for aid is doomed to fail. Israeli authorities and GHF have no realistic plans for what the logistics industry calls the "last mile", which is the process of delivering goods from distribution centers to customers.
Founded in February, GHF is already among its second leader, and is the trump-backed director of evangelical Christian public relations. Among the companies that Israel provides security for distribution sites in southern Gaza, is the security solution, a company led by former CIA officials, composed of former U.S. military and security contractors, founded only in January. Both GHF and SRS are mysterious, controversial entities whose financial support is not yet clear.
The organization defended its work, claiming in a statement yesterday: "To date, nearly 8.5 million meals have been delivered - no incidents." GHF also said it is still expanding. "Our priority remains to protect the safety and dignity of those who are assisted, especially as we continue to be the sole and reliable humanitarian aid provider for the people of Gaza," the statement continued.
Indeed, none of the established aid agencies that previously worked in difficult conditions in Gaza have been involved in the current efforts. Israel cuts ties with the UN’s relief and engineering agency, the allegation that some of its employees participated in the 7 October 2023 Hamas terrorist attack; the UN World Food Program continued to work there, but exhausted all resources in late April. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clashed with the ICRC, which lost two personnel in the Israeli bombing in May. (The organization's leaders have "better than hell" in Gaza.) The World Central Kitchen closed the soup kitchen in April because it couldn't provide food there, losing seven people, a 2024 Israeli strike in Gaza. As Israel's lockdown, relief agencies were either limited to the situation or unable to provide resources, so Netanyahu then chose the new GHF. However, its first leader resigned a few weeks later, citing a lack of “humanitarian principles” in Gaza’s relief efforts.
Perhaps to help solve the logistical problem and add the gloss of reputation to its efforts - GHF hired the Boston Consulting Group. But after the violence broke out, the company withdrew from the contract. Later that same day, GHF appointed new executive chairman Johnnie Moore, who insisted that his agency “proves the possibility of moving large quantities of food to those who need it the most.”
In all cases, the organization delivering the goods must optimize the distribution route that is consistent with the delivered communities. Israel’s lack of trust in experienced relief groups does not prove that these actions are ignoring the knowledge of handling supplies. Many distribution systems rely on so-called micro-filling centers (local warehouses, delivery centers, temporary facilities) to provide goods closer to where the community is located. That's why several years ago, covid-vaccine-distribution efforts at local doctors and pharmacies were prioritized compared to large-scale efforts.
Adopting many small distribution sites can promote flexibility; the system can adapt to changes in demand. GHF offers only four distribution centers, presumably for safety reasons, across the Gaza region, compared to the 400 that the United Nations once managed; now many Palestinians now have to walk for hours to pick up food packaging. In any case, no rational distribution system can work this way. GHF increases security risks with fewer than more distribution sites.
The organization also seems to be unprepared when thousands of people gather on these sites. Forgive the comparison, but the Black Friday sales plan's US retail stores have learned - in some cases, due to past tragedies in "Smash Points", the need for information systems that collect data from where demand comes from and data that helps organizations meet demand quickly. Israel will certainly expect the absolute despair of Palestinians in Gaza after relief work a few months later.
Especially in difficult situations, it is necessary to clearly explain the last mile how the last mile works. In large-scale logistics efforts, the mechanisms of how to deliver (information, information is needed, and how to deliver it through which communication channels) are all components of the process. Even the perception of hostile crowds, even with all the real-time tracking, delivery windows and notifications, are available for use in the entire system. But information about food availability is scarce. Al Jazeera reported that some announcements last Sunday came from a spokesperson carrying military drones. The shortage of information has led to a limited number of rush to distribute sites.
The business analogy is only that far. The aid website is not Costco. Palestinian civilians are not retail customers. But perhaps, if the Israeli government and its newly chosen relief entities have considered occupying established companies and experienced any logistical issues with the aid agencies, more Palestinians will receive their much-needed food aid faster and safer.