U.S. investigates Gaza aid funds as Palestinian journalist dies in custody

The U.S. State Department’s Office of Inspector General is investigating the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation regarding the expenditure of a $30 million U.S. grant. Investigators are examining the source of the funds, their distribution, and the costs paid for food and logistics services. The grant was reportedly approved under a White House priority directive, exempting the foundation from standard USAID audit requirements despite prior concerns raised by USAID reviewers.

Two U.S.-based firms, UG Solutions and Safe Reach Solutions, were identified as central to the distribution scheme.

Separately, Palestinian authorities reported the death of journalist Ihab Diab while in Israeli custody. Diab had been detained since December 2023. While Israeli authorities attributed the death to a health condition, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club stated Diab had no known prior health issues. His death brings the total number of Palestinian prisoners reported dead in Israeli custody since 1967 to 328.