A new group approved by Israel and backed by the U.S. has begun distributing aid in Gaza, despite pushback from the United Nations and various humanitarian organizations. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) announced that it started operations this week, even as its executive director unexpectedly resigned.
The GHF aims to take over aid distribution from U.N.-led organizations that have been delivering essential supplies like food, medicine, and fuel since the conflict escalated in October 2023. The new system limits food distribution to a few secure hubs, where people must go to collect their supplies. Currently, four hubs are being set up, all located near Israeli military positions in the southern part of Gaza, where few residents currently reside.
On Monday, GHF reported that it moved trucks of food to these hubs and began distribution, although specific details about the amount of aid provided were not disclosed. The organization claims it plans to assist over one million Palestinians by the end of the week, in a territory with around 2.3 million residents.
Jake Wood, the American leading the GHF effort, resigned shortly before the distribution began, stating that it became clear the organization would not function independently. Israel has pushed for an alternative distribution plan, alleging that Hamas has diverted aid supplies, a claim that the U.N. and other aid groups dispute. They argue that the new mechanism risks using food as leverage and undermines humanitarian principles.
For nearly three months, Israel had blocked supplies from entering Gaza, worsening the humanitarian crisis. Recently, it allowed a limited flow of aid, stating that the U.N. would handle distribution until GHF was operational.
The Hamas-run Interior Ministry in Gaza has warned residents against engaging with the GHF. The foundation was launched earlier this year and is led by a group of American security contractors and former military personnel, with support from Israel and the U.S. However, the resignation of Wood raises questions about the future leadership of GHF.
Funding details for GHF remain unclear. The group claims to have over $100 million in commitments from a European government, but it has not disclosed the donor. Neither the U.S. nor Israel has confirmed any financial support.
The GHF’s plan to centralize aid distribution mirrors proposals made by Israel. Each of its initial hubs is expected to serve around 300,000 people, with plans to expand to meet the needs of two million. However, aid will be transported by private contractors in armored vehicles, which raises concerns about the safety of recipients who must travel through areas controlled by Israeli forces.
Critics, including U.N. agencies and other aid organizations, argue that the GHF’s approach could lead to forced displacement of the population and violates international humanitarian laws. They emphasize that the existing U.N.-led system has proven effective in meeting the needs of Gaza’s residents when allowed to operate freely.
In a letter to Israeli officials, Wood indicated that the U.N. system would continue providing food until GHF has at least eight hubs running. He also acknowledged that the U.N. would remain responsible for distributing non-food aid, as GHF is not equipped to handle those supplies.
The situation remains fluid, and many are watching closely to see how GHF’s operations will unfold amid ongoing concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.