TEL AVIV, Israel — Shahar Segal, an Israeli entrepreneur known for running trendy restaurants worldwide, has recently aligned himself with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), igniting international controversy.
The move comes at a time when Gaza health officials report hundreds of Palestinians killed and thousands injured by Israeli forces, particularly around GHF’s food distribution sites.
Segal, whose restaurant empire includes the Michelin-starred Shmoné in Manhattan, serves as a spokesman for GHF in the Israeli media, advocating for the organization’s approach to food distribution.
In response to concerns over the safety of individuals approaching these food sites, Segal stated, “I believe this is the only right and possible way to deliver food to Gazans without feeding Hamas’ terror machine. It’s crystal clear.”
However, the initiative has come under fire as Gaza health officials reported deaths, including that of a 23-year-old factory worker, Osama Tarifi, who was killed while attempting to collect a food parcel for his family.
According to Osama’s uncle, Mohammed Tarifi, Osama’s mother had expressed her concerns about the dangers, but the family’s desperate need for food drove him to take the risk.
As the situation unfolds, the U.S. government, which had previously disclaimed any funding for GHF, is now poised to offer direct financial support.
The Trump administration has reportedly authorized $30 million in funding for GHF, as indicated in documents obtained by NPR.
These documents acknowledge media reports that criticize the GHF for potentially being complicit in alleged Israeli war crimes, particularly amid increasing concerns over Palestinian deaths near food distribution sites.
Simultaneously, the U.S. has prepared talking points for its spokespeople highlighting GHF’s “incredible work” while expressing skepticism regarding the reported killings, suggesting such accounts might be propagated by “Hamas-linked outlets.”
The leadership of the GHF has also changed, with Johnnie Moore, a U.S. evangelical leader and former adviser to President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign, taking over after the resignation of the organization’s initial director, a U.S. Marine veteran.
This change occurred amid claims that the group could not adhere to humanitarian principles.
Initiated in late May, the GHF started distributing food packages in Gaza, a region facing severe humanitarian limitations due to Israeli restrictions on food.
Israel asserts that Hamas has historically diverted resources from traditional aid agencies such as the U.N. and that GHF operates under Israeli military supervision to ensure food reaches civilians without Hamas involvement.
However, traditional humanitarian organizations and the U.N. refuse to collaborate with GHF, contending that it aligns too closely with Israeli military objectives and endangers civilians in the process.
Eyewitness accounts describe the food distribution events as chaotic and fraught with danger.
The U.N. human rights office reports that at least 410 individuals have been killed by Israeli forces while seeking aid from GHF’s distribution points.
A spokesperson for the U.N. human rights office denounced Israel’s method of distributing aid, stating, “Israel’s militarized humanitarian assistance mechanism is in contradiction with international standards on aid distribution.
The weaponization of food for civilians, along with restricting or preventing their access to life-sustaining services, constitutes a war crime and may involve other crimes under international law.”
GHF maintains that Israeli troops have not fired on civilians near its aid distribution zones, while the Israeli military claims soldiers have issued warnings before firing upon crowds approaching their positions.
Segal, who is 61, co-founded popular food establishments with celebrated chef Eyal Shani, operating venues like Miznon and several high-end restaurants in cities including Tel Aviv, New York, and London.
Before his ventures in hospitality, Segal had a successful career in television advertising.
Following the deadly Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent war in Gaza, Segal began collaborating with the Israeli military to improve its public messaging around the conflict.
Describing his work with the military, Segal told Israeli radio, “I’ve been involved in what the military calls ‘influence.’ Some call it advocacy. I call it propaganda.
That’s the essence of this war. You’re fighting an enemy that’s winning on the narrative front.”
According to a source familiar with GHF’s operations, Segal has made connections with senior Israeli military personnel, which may have facilitated his role within the organization.
Segal has refused to comment on this claim, while another individual familiar with GHF’s activities indicated that Israeli officials reached out to Segal due to his expertise in the food industry, hoping to convey a message of nutritional value in the aid distributed to Gazans.
However, Segal has strongly denied these assertions, stating there is “no connection” between his restaurant ventures and GHF.
The foundation claims success, stating that it has distributed millions of meals in Gaza.
In stark contrast, many Gazans highlight the dangers encountered when approaching GHF distribution points due to overcrowding and the presence of armed Israeli troops.
Reports suggest that even individuals who arrive early to food sites often leave empty-handed as supplies quickly deplete.
After announcing that a distribution site was open to collect food parcels, GHF posted a follow-up stating it had exhausted its food supplies just eight minutes later.
Hani Almadhoun, a Palestinian-American involved with the Gaza Soup Kitchen food project, criticized GHF’s operations, stating, “We understand this is such a heartless enterprise.
It is not the way to do humanitarian aid. Palestinians end up being dead every time there is a food distribution.”
GHF has not clarified its funding sources, and some Israeli media speculate that the Israeli government could be a hidden financial backer, although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly denied such claims.
Private armed security contractors employed by an American company are responsible for safeguarding GHF’s distribution sites.
Despite the heated discussions surrounding GHF, some, like Israeli food writer Hila Alpert, believe Segal’s intentions might be genuine.
She remarked, “I think that if Shahar does it, it’s only because he has his heart [in] the right place.
If someone brings food to Gaza, it’s better than nothing, no?”
Anas Baba contributed to this story from Gaza City.
image source from：npr
