US-brokered meeting aimed at urging UN, GHF collaboration said to end with no breakthrough

Senior UN aid officials met on Wednesday in New York with the chair of the controversial Israeli- and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in the first such engagement since GHF began operating in Gaza in late May, the Axios news site reports.

The meeting was brokered by the US, which is encouraging the organizations to collaborate in order to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The UN has thus far refused to work with GHF, saying that the latter group was established to advance the Israeli government’s war aims, rather than to serve those in need. It also claims that GHF puts Gazans in danger by having them walk long distances while crossing IDF lines in order to pick up boxes of food.

“We already have a plan that’s built on long-established humanitarian principles: neutrality, impartiality, independence and humanity. That means we go where the needs are greatest. We answer to civilians in need and not the warring parties. Inside Gaza, we have the people and networks and the trust to deliver, and we just need to be able to go about that,” UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said earlier Thursday.

Particapating in Wednesday’s meeting were senior US official Morgan Ortagus, GHF chair Johnnie Moore and representatives of the World Food Program, UNICEF, the International Organization for Migration, the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the International Red Cross.

The meeting did not lead to a breakthrough, but participants agreed to de-escalate public attacks in the media against each other, Axios reports.

GHF was still calling out the UN on X throughout Thursday, though.

For second time within an hour, IDF intercepts drone likely from Yemen

A drone launched at Israel “from the east” was intercepted by the Israeli Air Force a short while ago, the IDF says for the second time in less than an hour.

No sirens were activated “according to protocol,” as no Israeli towns were under threat, the IDF says.

According to preliminary assessments in the IDF, this drone too was likely launched from Yemen.

IDF says it intercepted drone likely from Yemen

A drone launched at Israel “from the east” was intercepted by the Israeli Air Force a short while ago, the IDF says.

No sirens were activated “according to protocol,” the military says.

According to preliminary assessments in the IDF, the drone was likely launched from Yemen.

Ministers meet to discuss full occupation of Gaza as protesters rally outside against proposal

Israel’s security cabinet meeting to vote on whether to move forward with a full-scale military occupation of the Gaza Strip has begun, according to Channel 12.

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara is reportedly in attendance, despite a unanimous government vote earlier this week to dismiss her from her position.

Outside the meeting, protesters rally against the proposed move to expand the military operation, which they say will risk the lives of hostages held in the Gaza Strip.

The protesters call for a deal to end the war and the release of all the hostages.

הצטרפו אלינו עכשיו בירושלים ❗️❗️
שורדות שבי ומשפחות חטופים יחד עם אלפי מפגינים מחוץ לישיבת הקבינט בדרישה מהקבינט להציג יוזמה ריאלית לסיום המלחמה והשבת כל החטופים. pic.twitter.com/VTMas0b9O2

— כולנו חטופים (@Kulanu_Hatufim) August 7, 2025