The Global Humanitarian Fund (GHF), a group that has faced controversy, is temporarily suspending its aid distribution for one day to improve security at its sites. This pause is also reportedly to allow GHF to prepare for larger crowds.

This operational break follows reports in the Times of Israel that Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) troops shot at Palestinians who deviated from the designated route for aid access for three consecutive days.

A GHF spokesperson told Digital, “GHF is in active discussions with the IDF to strengthen security measures beyond the immediate area of GHF sites.” The organization stated it has requested the IDF to “implement measures to guide pedestrian traffic to minimize confusion or escalation risks near IDF military perimeters, develop clearer IDF-issued guidelines for safe transit, and improve IDF force training and internal procedures to support safety.”

The GHF spokesperson added, “These measures reflect our dedication to continuous improvements for civilian safety and risk reduction in a very challenging humanitarian environment. Our main priority is to ensure the safety and dignity of civilians receiving aid, especially as GHF is currently the only operation reliably delivering aid to Gazans.”

On Tuesday, the IDF stated that its troops “identified several suspects moving towards them, straying from the approved access routes.” According to the IDF, soldiers fired warning shots and then opened fire when the suspects did not retreat.

Contrary to the IDF’s account, multiple reports indicated that at least some individuals were killed while trying to get aid on Tuesday. The Times of Israel reported that Hamas health authorities claimed 31 people were killed on Sunday, three on Monday, and 27 on Tuesday, with many more wounded in each incident.

While the GHF has received support from the U.S. and Israel, several aid organizations and the United Nations have criticized the system, arguing that it militarizes aid. However, Israel has consistently praised GHF for delivering aid in Gaza without benefiting Hamas.

U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordination Tom Fletcher, a known critic of GHF, has repeatedly stated in interviews that his organization should be allowed to carry out its work.

On Wednesday, the U.N. Security Council is expected to vote on a resolution demanding a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and humanitarian access throughout Gaza, according to Reuters.

Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon has already expressed his opposition to the resolution, arguing that it “undermines” humanitarian aid relief and “ignores a functioning system in favor of political objectives.”