Daijiworld Media Network- Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv, May 9: A new proposal has emerged from a US-backed group, consisting of former military officers, security contractors, and humanitarian aid officials, suggesting a dramatic shift in the way humanitarian aid is distributed in Gaza. This plan aims to replace the current distribution system operated by the United Nations (U.N.) and other international aid agencies, with a structure that mirrors some of the plans previously outlined by Israel.
The proposal, put forward by the newly established Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, outlines the creation of a new system for delivering food and supplies to Gaza's 2.3 million residents. The U.N. and other international aid organizations have long rejected Israel’s proposals to take control of aid distribution, expressing concerns that the plans would politicize and weaponize the aid process.
Israel has enforced a blockade on Gaza for over ten weeks, halting the flow of essential goods such as food, fuel, and medicine. The Israeli government has stated that no aid will be permitted until a system is established that grants it oversight and control over the distribution process. The 14-page proposal from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, recently circulated to U.N. officials and aid groups, is the first formal indication of a plan to take control of aid distribution in Gaza. It introduces the foundation and names the individuals leading the initiative.
Critics, including U.N. officials and humanitarian aid workers, have voiced concerns about Israel's plans, warning that such moves would "weaponize" aid and impose severe restrictions on its recipients. Aid workers have particularly criticized Israel's proposed approach, which could centralize distribution at a few designated hubs guarded by private security contractors, fearing it would fail to meet the needs of Gaza’s large, suffering population.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's proposal envisions distributing pre-packaged rations, potable water, hygiene kits, blankets, and other supplies at centralized hubs across Gaza. The foundation has expressed its intent to partner with the U.N. and international aid agencies in overseeing the distribution process. However, concerns remain over whether this new system could adequately address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, as critics argue it may not be enough to support the desperate population in a meaningful way.
The situation remains tense as the international community continues to grapple with the best approach to alleviate the suffering in Gaza amidst the ongoing conflict.