Gaza Humanitarian Foundation
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The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is an organization established to distribute humanitarian aid during the ongoing Gaza humanitarian crisis.{{Cite news |last=Knell |first=Yolande |last2=Foulkes |first2=Imogen |date=2025-05-09 |title=US confirms plan for private firms to deliver Gaza aid despite UN alarm |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp92rlm300mo |access-date=2025-05-09 |work=BBC |language=en-GB}}
Background
The Gaza war was triggered by the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel by Hamas which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 civilians and IDF troops and the taking of about 250 hostages. Since the start of the war, over 52,700 Palestinians have been killed.{{Cite news |last=Nichols |first=Michelle |date=March 14, 2025 |title=UN humanitarian chief slams aid plan for Gaza proposed by Israel, backed by US |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/un-aid-chief-slams-israels-gaza-aid-plan-cynical-sideshow-2025-05-13/ |access-date=May 14, 2025 |work=Reuters}} Due to Israeli checkpoints into Gaza, the Israeli government and IDF have controlled the entrance of humanitarian aid into Gaza, with aid delivery disrupted multiple times over the years, either via government blockades or civilian actions.{{Cite web |last=ברוך |first=חזקי |title=מאות ניסו למנוע סיוע לעזה וחסמו את נמל אשדוד |url=https://www.inn.co.il/news/627977 |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=ערוץ 7 |language=he}} Since March 2, 2025 no humanitarian aid has been allowed into Gaza, with concerns about famine in Gaza being raised by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC).{{r|REU 2025-03-14}}{{Cite news |date=May 12, 2025 |title=Gaza population faces critical risk of famine, global hunger monitor says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/entire-population-gaza-continues-face-critical-risk-famine-global-hunger-monitor-2025-05-12/ |access-date=May 14, 2025 |work=Reuters}}
Organization
The executive director is Jake Wood.{{Cite news |last=Akkad |first=Dania |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Israel's controversial aid plan for Gaza revealed in new document |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-controversial-aid-plan-gaza-revealed |access-date= |work=Middle East Eye |language=en}} The foundation will utilize United States-based contractors to guard, "aid hubs" set up throughout Gaza without the aid of IDF members. The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee indicated to reporters that IDF troops will be stationed "at a distance" from the hubs for additional protection.{{Cite news |last=Masurier |first=Jessica |last2=Banjo |first2=Damilola |last3=Leimbach |first3=Dulcie |date=2025-05-12 |title=‘Weaponising aid’: New plan calls for private contractors to take over from UN in Gaza |url=https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20250512-weaponising-aid-plan-calls-for-private-contractors-to-take-over-from-un-gaza-humanitarian-foundation-us-israel-ug-solutions-safe-reach-solutions |access-date=2025-05-14 |work=France 24 |language=en}}
The stations would distribute aid only once or twice a month at specific locations, with aid being described as pre-packaged rations, hygiene kits, and medical supplies. Their proposal indicates that each meal was budgeted around $1.30 which would include procurement and distribution costs.{{r|F24 2025-05-12}}
Executive director Jake Wood asserted that he "unequivocally ... will not be part of anything that forcibly dislocates or displaces the Palestinian population."{{Cite web |last=Diamond |first=Jeremy |date=2025-05-16 |title=Head of controversial new Gaza aid group says he won’t be part of displacing Palestinians, urges UN to participate in plan |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/16/middleeast/israel-gaza-humanitarian-foundation-interview-latam-intl |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=CNN |language=en}}
Responses
The United Nations aid chief Tom Fletcher, raised doubts about the humanitarian aspect of the foundation and concerns about Israel's involvement and intentions. Fletcher called the foundation a "fig leaf for further violence and displacement" for Palestinians in Gaza and a "deliberate distraction" to the ongoing issues within Gaza due to the war.{{r|REU 2025-03-14}}
References
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External links
- [https://ynet-pic1.yit.co.il/picserver6/wcm_upload_files/2025/05/08/BJbxp4cgel/Gaza_Humanitarian_Foundation_Overview__1_.pdf Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) Safe Transparent Aid for Gaza] - Gaza Humanitarian Foundation
Category:Gaza Strip humanitarian crisis
Category:Organizations established in 2025
Category:2025 in the Gaza Strip
Category:Gaza Strip in the Israel–Hamas war