U.S. Approves $30 Million for Contentious New Gaza Aid Group

The State Department said on Thursday that it had approved $30 million in funding for a fledgling aid distribution system in Gaza backed by Israel and run mostly by American contractors, which has seen deadly violence erupt near its sites.

Thomas Pigott, a State Department spokesman, said at a news briefing that the new group running the food distribution centers, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, was “absolutely incredible and should be commended and supported.” He called on other countries to follow suit and contribute funding to the group, which has been criticized by the United Nations and many humanitarian organizations.

While the United States has been supportive of the foundation’s efforts and has backed the distribution system diplomatically, this appears to be its first public announcement of financial aid for the group. Mr. Pigott declined to say whether the U.S. funding had already been distributed.

Humanitarian groups have been raising alarms since before the project’s operations began late last month. There are only a few distribution sites, most in southern Gaza, and Israeli soldiers are stationed nearby. Aid groups say that situation displaces residents, exposes them to danger and militarizes humanitarian assistance.

Deadly violence has erupted frequently near the sites as large numbers of people have approached them seeking food. The Gaza health ministry said on Wednesday that hundreds had been killed near the distribution points in the past month.

Witnesses have repeatedly reported that Israeli troops opened fire near the new aid hubs. The Israeli military has said that it fired “warning shots” when people approached soldiers threateningly.