New US-backed aid group begins distributing food in war-torn Gaza

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) — a U.S.-backed group that has Israel's stamp of approval — said it has started distributing aid to the Gaza Strip despite being the subject of controversy and questions. 

GHF did not specify how many trucks of food it was dealing with but said that the supplies made it to its hubs and were being distributed throughout the Strip. The organization also said there would be more trucks arriving on Wednesday.

"As part of the ongoing efforts to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, four aid distribution centers were established in recent weeks, in accordance with the directive of the political echelon and in close coordination with the United States," the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement.

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"Every day, thousands of Gazans will be able to come here, reach this third party and get the aid directly. We hope this will end Hamas' abuse of the aid coming into Gaza, Hamas's abuse of the people of Gaza, and that the people of Gaza will be able to receive the aid directly," IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani said in a video about the aid.

The organization received considerable scrutiny before its distribution began, as well as a potentially major hurdle: just hours before it started distributing aid, the head of the organization resigned. 

Jake Woods, who was the executive director of the GHF, resigned on Monday, citing the organization’s inability to "adhere to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, which I will not abandon."

"I urge Israel to significantly expand the provision of aid into Gaza through all mechanisms, and I urge all stakeholders to continue to explore innovative new methods for the delivery of aid, without delay, diversion, or discrimination," Woods said in a statement obtained by Fox News. "I continue to believe the only sustainable path for the long-term is for Hamas to release all hostages, for there to be a cessation of hostilities, and a pathway for peace, security, and dignity for all people in the region."

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Prior to Woods’ resignation, GHF faced criticism over its distribution plan, which involved the aid arriving at hubs that are guarded by armed contractors, according to The Associated Press. The outlet also reported that the four hubs being set up are all close to Israeli military positions, saying that three are "far south where few Palestinians are located."

The Associated Press reported that GHF said the flow of supplies to Palestinians in Gaza would be "increasing each day."

Woods is not alone in his concern about GHF’s independence and impartiality, as the organization has faced backlash over Israel’s support for the organization. The United Nations and aid groups have voiced criticism of GHF. 

A spokesperson from the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) told Reuters that GHF is "a distraction from what is actually needed."

"Our position remains firm: as Tom Fletcher, the under-secretary-general for Humanitarian Affairs, told the Security Council the other week, this is a distraction. Aid operations must be in line with the humanitarian principles and must be scaled up to stave off famine and meet the needs of all civilians, where they are in the Strip," OCHA spokesperson Eri Kaneko told Fox News Digital.

Fox News Digital reached out to the State Department and the Red Cross for comment, but they did not immediately respond. 

Trey Yingst contributed to this report.

Naomi Osaka clips themed nails, suffers devastating 1st-round loss in French Open

Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka had a rough first round at the French Open on Monday.

Osaka entered Roland Garros wearing an all-pink kit inspired by "Sakura," or cherry blossoms. She had issues almost immediately as she was forced to clip her nails in the middle of the match against 10th-seeded Paula Badosa. She had 54 unforced errors.

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Badosa won the match 6-7 (1), 6-1, 6-4 over Osaka. The Japanese superstar was upset following the defeat.

"As time goes on, I feel like I should be doing better," she said. "But also — I kind of talked about this before, maybe a couple years ago, or maybe recently, I’m not sure — I hate disappointing people."

She also expressed a feeling of regret for letting down her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, who previously worked with the likes of Serena Williams.

"He goes from working with, like, the greatest player ever to, like, ‘What the f--- is this?’ You know what I mean?" she said. "Sorry for cursing. I hope I don’t get fined."

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Osaka also dealt with blisters on her hands as she clipped her nails. She theorized it was the clay courts that were giving her the issue.

"Since Rome, I have had blisters on my hands," she said, via Tennis.com. "I think it's like from the friction of clay, because I don't have blisters on any other surface. But I was kind of used to it, because I also had to ask for the physio in Rome."

Osaka was a previous world No. 1 as she dominated the 2018 U.S. Open and won the 2019 Australian Open right after. She did it again in 2020 when she won the U.S. Open and followed up with a victory at the 2021 Australian Open.

It is the French Open and Wimbledon that have always given Osaka trouble.

She has never made it out of the third round at the French Open.

Osaka did not commit one way or the other to the grind leading up to Wimbledon.

"I don’t necessarily know my grass-season schedule right now," Osaka said. "I wasn’t really expecting to lose in the first round."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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