Middle East

Gaza aid fund head resigns over humanitarian concerns

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Jake Wood, the head of the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF), established with US and Israeli backing to shift Gaza aid distribution from UN agencies to Israeli oversight, has resigned. Wood cited his opposition to practices inconsistent with humanitarian principles.

According to a report in the Times of Israel, Jake Wood, president of the Gaza Humanitarian Fund, announced his resignation. In a written statement on Sunday, Wood said, “We developed a plan to deliver food to hungry people, prevent aid diversion by Hamas, and support the work of long-standing NGOs operating in Gaza. However, this plan cannot be implemented in a manner consistent with fundamental humanitarian principles such as humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence.”

The Gaza Humanitarian Fund was established to create an alternative distribution mechanism after Israel alleged that Hamas was misusing aid. The fund plans for designated family representatives to collect aid at a limited number of distribution points to be set up in southern Gaza. US private security companies will provide security on the ground during this process.

Although technically an American company, the GHF was established in close cooperation with Israeli authorities. However, it requires the support of international organizations to gain effectiveness on the ground. The UN and other humanitarian aid organizations have refused to cooperate with the fund, citing concerns that the Gaza aid plan includes practices that could lead to the displacement of the region’s population.

The fund and its proposed aid distribution model are problematic not only operationally but also financially. The fund’s sources of funding are not transparent, and some leaders listed in documents sent to donors have stated they are not involved in the initiative, leading to a loss of trust. Furthermore, the fund initially admitted it could only deliver aid to 60% of Gaza’s population.

Last week, Jake Wood announced that Israel had approved new distribution points across Gaza at the GHF’s request and had given the green light for existing aid mechanisms to be reused until the fund became operational. However, on-the-ground distribution activities could not begin on the planned date. Moreover, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statement that aid distribution would be limited solely to southern Gaza directly contradicted Wood’s declarations.

Wood was appointed two months ago to lead the Gaza aid plan. In his resignation, he stated, “I could not remain indifferent to the hunger crisis in Gaza. However, I cannot accept aid being directed in a way that contradicts humanitarian principles.” Wood’s resignation is seen as a significant blow to Israel’s attempt to bring Gaza aid under its own control.

Following Wood’s departure, the Gaza Humanitarian Fund announced that aid distribution would begin today. The board of directors’ statement read, “We are saddened by Jake Wood’s sudden resignation. He made significant progress in a short time. The resumption of the Gaza aid process is a result of his efforts.”

The statement also added, “Since its inception, the GHF has been targeted by those who benefit from the existing system. We will not be deterred by these efforts. Our trucks are ready to depart. As of Monday, May 26, we are beginning Gaza aid distribution. We aim to reach over one million Palestinians by the end of the week, and then increase our capacity to cover all of Gaza.”

Wood’s resignation comes at a time when Israel has allowed a limited number of aid trucks to pass after more than two months of aid embargo. The resumption of aid also coincides with the Israeli army’s new ground operation in Gaza, dubbed “Gideon’s Chariots.”

The Israeli army announced its goal to control 75% of Gaza’s territory within the next two months. In the initial phase of the operation, air strikes were intensified, and five army divisions, comprising thousands of soldiers, were sent to the region.

The US, however, is taking a distanced approach to this new Gaza operation. President Donald Trump, speaking on Air Force One, stated that progress was being made in ceasefire talks and that efforts were underway to halt the fighting. US officials reportedly asked Israel to postpone the operation to allow room for prisoner exchange and ceasefire negotiations.

Prime Minister Netanyahu reportedly held a meeting with senior security officials to assess US pressure. The US continues to engage in back-channel diplomacy with Hamas, despite the Israeli delegation’s withdrawal from the Doha negotiations. These discussions are being conducted through Bishara Bahbah, a Palestinian-American businessman, outside the official process led by US Middle East Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.

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