CNN
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The head of Gaza’s new US- and Israel-backed aid distribution programme resigned after weeks of controversy, citing concerns about equity and urged Israel to allow more aid to enclaves blocked in Israel.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aims to implement a new, strictly controlled mechanism for the delivery of aid to Gaza, which has been criticized by the United Nations and others, risking further evacuation of Palestinians and putting their citizens at risk.
US military veteran Jake Wood left GHF executive director within weeks with an organization that was released by the US in early May.
“I’m proud of the work I overseen, such as developing practical plans that can feed hungry people, address security concerns about diversion and complement the work of long-standing NGOs in Gaza,” Wood said in a statement.
“But it is clear that this plan is not possible, and that it adheres to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, equity and independence.
In a statement, the GHF criticized the enemy for being “disappointed” by Wood’s resignation and saying he “focuses on tearing it apart rather than getting assistance.”
The organization said it would begin deliveries on Monday, adding that it plans to supply “the whole population of the population in the coming weeks,” adding that “the trucks are loaded and ready” on Sunday.
GHF’s plans to provide assistance have been approved by Israel and the United States. Both countries say it is designed to prevent Hamas from “stealing” aid.
It is set to begin operating four distribution sites in southern and central Gaza, but has received intense criticism from top humanitarian officials as the United Nations and other organizations have refused to cooperate with the new group.
The UN warned that the fact that the first locations were only in southern and central Gaza As the Israeli Defense Minister said earlier this month, it could be encouraged to encourage Israel’s publicly stated goal of enforcing “all Gazan” from North Gaza.
It is painful to say that both the US and the GHF, despite Israel’s support, is not an Israeli initiative.
Speaking to CNN in early May, Wood urged the United Nations and other groups to reconsider their opposition, acknowledging that the plan would “not perfect” but would allow serious aid and food supplies to Gazans who desperately need it.
He added in May that “clearly… not part of what forces the Palestinian population to dislocate or displace.”
Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Director explains plans to get assistance to Gaza
In a statement of resignation on Sunday, he said that while as executive director, he had sought to establish the foundation “as a truly independent and humanitarian entity.”
Wood said he was “terribly saddened by Gaza’s hunger crisis,” and “we were forced to do everything we could to alleviate our suffering.”
“I urge Israel to significantly expand its provision of aid to Gaza through all mechanisms, and urge all stakeholders to continue to explore innovative new ways to provide aid without delay, appropriation or discrimination,” Wood said.
The GHF is expected to be able to feed about 60% of Gaza’s population in the first few weeks.
Private American security contractors are responsible for protecting aid trucks from the Gaza border to distribution sites and are not involved in the distribution of aid to civilians, Wood said.
Gaza faces widespread hunger amid a serious shortage of essential humanitarian aid. Gaza’s Palestinian Ministry of Health has recorded 58 deaths from malnutrition and 242 deaths from food and medical shortages since the Israeli aid lockdown began in March.
The miscarriages of more than 300 were attributed to nutrient deficiencies, the department told CNN on Sunday.
Last week, Israel said it would allow “basic amounts of food” to enter Gaza due to “operational needs” as the troops push for something offensive called “Gideon’s Tanks.” The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said Gaza’s hunger crisis could put operations at risk.
Ahmad Al Banna, who owns a bakery in Dale Al Bala, Gaza, said on Sunday it reopened on Wednesday, only to close in three days after its flour stock was gone.
“Gaza is tired,” he said. “There are hungry people on the streets.”
Another resident, Um Jamal Musleh, said she and her two children rely on a local charity-run kitchen. “Today, we were shocked to see a sign saying it was the last day in the kitchen. That means we’re hungry,” she said.
Asmaa al-Caffarne, who was waiting in the kitchen on Sunday, said she had not eaten bread two months later. “If they don’t die in an Israeli airstrike, they’ll die of hunger,” she said.
Israel said it allowed 107 aid trucks to be put into the territory on Sunday, but the UN said that that wasn’t enough.
Unrwa, the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency in Gaza, says that as civilians face a severe shortage of supplies like food and medicine, Enclaves need at least 500-600 trucks each day. The United Nations also advocated for humanitarian assistance travelling along unstable routes, preventing many aid trucks from safely reaching their destinations.
