Swiss Banks Reject Accounts for Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Linked to Palestinian Deaths

Geneva (Quds News Network)- Two major global banks, UBS and Goldman Sachs, have rejected account requests from the infamous Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). The foundation, founded by the US and Israel, has been linked to hundreds of Palestinian deaths near its so-called ‘aid distribution’ points in the Gaza Strip.

According to Reuters, the banks refused to open accounts for GHF in Switzerland. One source said the foundation failed to meet transparency standards, especially concerning its funding sources.

GHF had attempted to launch a branch in Geneva but faced major setbacks. These included a lack of donations, resignations from key founding members, most notably CEO Jake Wood, who stepped down in May, and obstacles in setting up a bank account in the country.

The foundation, which started operating in Gaza in late May, has been widely criticized. Its distribution centers were widely described as death traps as hundreds of starved Gazans were hunted down there. The United Nations and human rights groups stated that it militarizes aid and uses food to displace and humiliate Palestinians. A recent AP investigated has even revealed that the organization is used by Israel to collect intelligence.

On Friday, the UN Human Rights Office confirmed that at least 613 people were killed near GHF aid points and convoys. Spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told reporters in Geneva that most of the deaths (509 starved civilians) occurred directly at the distribution zones run by GHF. The toll, as of June 27, is expected to rise.

The UN said it relied on multiple sources to verify the numbers. These included hospital reports, graveyard records, family testimonies, Palestinian health authorities, NGOs, and field partners. It also noted that additional killings have been reported but remain under investigation.

The GHF has become a symbol of US-Israeli control over humanitarian aid in Gaza. By bypassing traditional relief channels like UNRWA, critics argue the project has deepened civilian suffering instead of easing it.

Since October 2023, Israel’s genocide has devastated Gaza. Over 57,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 135,000 wounded. Entire neighborhoods lie in ruins, and nearly the whole population has been displaced. Observers say the scale of destruction is unmatched since World War II.