Gaza Humanitarian Foundation to start aid distribution in Gaza

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US-backed private humanitarian organisation, said it will begin distributing aid in Gaza on Monday, after the sudden resignation of its executive director.

“Our trucks are loaded and ready to go. Beginning Monday, May 26, GHF will begin direct aid delivery in Gaza, reaching over one million Palestinians by the end of the week. We plan to scale rapidly to serve the full population in the weeks ahead,” it said in a statement.

Earlier, GFH's executive director Jake Wood announced his resignation over the foundation's lack of independence, saying it could not adhere to “to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, which I will not abandon”.

The organisation, which was originated in February, has received fierce criticism from UN officials, who had said its aid distribution plans, initiated by Israel and only involving private companies, would foster displacement of Palestinians and more violence.

Only limited humanitarian aid has been allowed into Gaza recently after international pressure since early March forced Israel to stop its blockade on the Strip.