Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, May 9: Amid Israel's ongoing blockade of Gaza, the United States has announced the formation of a new entity, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), to coordinate aid delivery to the besieged territory. The initiative, however, has triggered alarm among international aid groups and human rights advocates.
The US insists the foundation will function independently of Israel, although Israel will provide security. US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee confirmed that Israel would not handle the aid directly but would support the logistics and security of the operations.
At least 18 Palestinians, including a mother and child in Al Nuseirat and a father and son in Khan Younis, were killed in Israeli strikes on Friday, medical officials told Al Jazeera.
The State Department’s spokesperson Tammy Bruce unveiled the charitable, non-governmental effort on Thursday. Though detailed logistics remain unclear, reports suggest the US-Israel-backed GHF aims to replace the United Nations and other agencies in distributing aid, potentially using private contractors and fixed distribution hubs.
The Associated Press reported that Palestinians would have to travel to these secured hubs, which would each serve around 300,000 people. Critics argue that such movement exposes civilians to increased danger, as aid lines have been attacked before.
The blockade, in place since March 2, has left Gaza’s 2.3 million people in desperate need of food, medicine, and fuel. Israel maintains that no aid will be allowed unless it can control its distribution, fearing supplies may benefit Hamas.
Humanitarian organisations have slammed the plan as an attempt to bypass the UN. Former UNRWA spokesperson Chris Gunness termed the effort “aid-washing” and accused Israel of using starvation as a tactic in its campaign against Palestinians.
“Israel and its allies are attempting to mask forced displacement and starvation with a so-called humanitarian operation,” Gunness said. “This is part of broader genocidal ambitions.”
Gunness added that only UNRWA has the required infrastructure and local knowledge to effectively prevent famine in Gaza.
David Beasley, former executive director of the UN World Food Programme, is reportedly in talks to lead the new GHF, according to US sources.
The US plan aligns with Israel's recent approval of a similar system involving four “Secure Distribution Sites”. The scheme would force displaced Palestinians, especially those from northern Gaza, to relocate southward.
UN spokesperson Jens Laerke condemned the proposal, warning that dismantling existing aid channels is “a deliberate attempt to weaponise humanitarian relief.”
So far, at least 57 Palestinians—mostly children, the sick, and elderly—have reportedly died of starvation.
Huckabee defended the initiative, stating that “the most significant danger is not doing anything” as famine-like conditions worsen.