U.S.-backed aid group in Gaza reopens sites after closures and delays

A U.S. and Israeli-backed aid organization in Gaza said it was reopening two distribution sites a day after shutting them following deadly shootings.

A U.S. and Israeli-backed organization distributing aid in Gaza said Thursday it was reopening two distribution sites a day after shutting them following a series of deadly shootings close to its operations.

The U.S.-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said only two sites in southern Gaza’s Rafah area would operate Thursday, after all sites were closed the day before for maintenance. GHF had opened three sites earlier in the week, and one of Thursday’s sites was in a new location, it said.

The GHF, which has been fiercely criticized by humanitarian organizations including the United Nations for alleged lack of neutrality, began distributing aid last week. The U.N. has warned that most of Gaza’s 2.3 million population is at risk of famine after an 11-week Israeli blockade of the enclave.

Meanwhile, Israel announced it had recovered the bodies of two dual nationality Israeli-American hostages from Gaza. Gadi Hagi and his wife Judy Weinstein-Hagi were killed and taken to Gaza after Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack that triggered the war. Fifty-six hostages remain in captivity, with fewer than half believed to be alive.

The Israeli military has intensified operations in Gaza since breaking a fragile ceasefire with Hamas in March, taking more territory with the government pushing to wipe out the Islamist militant group.