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| Charity accuses Israeli-backed Gaza food group of unauthorised use of logo | Charity accuses Israeli-backed Gaza food group of unauthorised use of logo |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| US-based Rahma Worldwide says it has demanded explanation from Gaza Humanitarian Foundation | US-based Rahma Worldwide says it has demanded explanation from Gaza Humanitarian Foundation |
| Middle East crisis live – latest news updates | |
| A US charity has accused the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the controversial Israeli-backed group that began distributing food in Gaza this week, of sending out photographs of deliveries containing its logo without permission. | A US charity has accused the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the controversial Israeli-backed group that began distributing food in Gaza this week, of sending out photographs of deliveries containing its logo without permission. |
| Images distributed by GHF this week showed shipments bearing a label from Rahma Worldwide, a US charity based in Michigan, as part of its first distribution of food to sites inside Gaza. The rollout was marred by scenes of chaos after crowds overran one distribution centre managed by GHF and Israeli forces said they had fired “warning shots”. Gaza health officials said at least one civilian had been killed and 48 injured in the incident. | Images distributed by GHF this week showed shipments bearing a label from Rahma Worldwide, a US charity based in Michigan, as part of its first distribution of food to sites inside Gaza. The rollout was marred by scenes of chaos after crowds overran one distribution centre managed by GHF and Israeli forces said they had fired “warning shots”. Gaza health officials said at least one civilian had been killed and 48 injured in the incident. |
| The aid bearing the Rahma logo, which was prominently displayed in a press packet distributed by GHF, suggested to some media outlets that the groups were official partners. That would be an important endorsement as questions have grown over GHF’s funding and lack of partners or experience in distributing aid. | The aid bearing the Rahma logo, which was prominently displayed in a press packet distributed by GHF, suggested to some media outlets that the groups were official partners. That would be an important endorsement as questions have grown over GHF’s funding and lack of partners or experience in distributing aid. |
| The UN and aid groups have also pushed back against the new system led by GHF. They say that Israel is trying to use food as a weapon and that a new system will not be effective. | The UN and aid groups have also pushed back against the new system led by GHF. They say that Israel is trying to use food as a weapon and that a new system will not be effective. |
| In a statement, Rahma said it had previously “secured all necessary permits” for 4,000 food boxes to cross into Gaza but none had entered. | In a statement, Rahma said it had previously “secured all necessary permits” for 4,000 food boxes to cross into Gaza but none had entered. |
| Israel has blocked the UN and other aid organisations from moving food into Gaza, where people are starving. | Israel has blocked the UN and other aid organisations from moving food into Gaza, where people are starving. |
| Unable to get the food in, Rahma had allowed the containers to be “taken custody” by GHF. Rahma added, however, that it had refused to allow its personnel to take part in the distribution because of GHF’s use of armed security contractors. | Unable to get the food in, Rahma had allowed the containers to be “taken custody” by GHF. Rahma added, however, that it had refused to allow its personnel to take part in the distribution because of GHF’s use of armed security contractors. |
| “We noticed images of our food boxes with logo being distributed without Rahma’s direct involvement,” the group said in a statement. “Rahma did not authorise such distribution, and none of our team was permitted to participate in this process.” | “We noticed images of our food boxes with logo being distributed without Rahma’s direct involvement,” the group said in a statement. “Rahma did not authorise such distribution, and none of our team was permitted to participate in this process.” |
| In a separate statement, Rahma’s executive director and founder said it had allowed GHF to transport the aid, which had been stuck at the border, due to the “severe need in Gaza” but had demanded a formal explanation for why that aid had been distributed under its name. | In a separate statement, Rahma’s executive director and founder said it had allowed GHF to transport the aid, which had been stuck at the border, due to the “severe need in Gaza” but had demanded a formal explanation for why that aid had been distributed under its name. |
| “We stipulated that the Rahma logo be removed from the aid parcels,” said Dr Shadi Omar Zaza, the head of Rahma. “To our surprise, the organisation’s logo was not removed, and the security company distributed these parcels bearing the Rahma Worldwide logo.” | “We stipulated that the Rahma logo be removed from the aid parcels,” said Dr Shadi Omar Zaza, the head of Rahma. “To our surprise, the organisation’s logo was not removed, and the security company distributed these parcels bearing the Rahma Worldwide logo.” |
| Zaza said GHF’s use of armed security contractors violated Ra operational charter and humanitarian mandate. | Zaza said GHF’s use of armed security contractors violated Ra operational charter and humanitarian mandate. |
| “We will not accept, and will not be part of, this aid distribution mechanism – because we do not allow armed actors, we do not allow any armed party to interfere in our relief work,” he said. | “We will not accept, and will not be part of, this aid distribution mechanism – because we do not allow armed actors, we do not allow any armed party to interfere in our relief work,” he said. |
| GHF has been approached for comment. | GHF has been approached for comment. |