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A controversial Israel and US backed organisation, Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), says it has begun to distribute an unspecified amount of aid in Gaza, despite its executive director resigning just a day earlier.1
The GHF has been tasked with distributing aid to the Gaza strip, which has been unable to access lifesaving aid for months because of an Israeli blockade.2 Little is known about the organisation. It does not appear to have a website or any publicly available information detailing its work.
Reports suggest that GHF plans to hold aid at four hubs in Southern Gaza, with Palestinians expected to travel to secure food and supplies, which they will only be able to access if they pass a screening process for potential links to Hamas. This may involve facial recognition and biometric screening.34
Announcing his resignation on 26 May, GHF executive director Jake Wood said, “It is clear that it is not possible to implement this plan while also strictly adhering to principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, which I will not abandon.”5
The initiative has been roundly criticised by the UN and humanitarian organisations, with some calling it a “dangerous, politicised sham” and a “cynical sideshow.”67
The GHF’s aid distribution comes weeks after Israel announced its plans to introduce a militarily controlled aid mechanism, and also to deregister all aid organisations already working in the region.
These organisations would then be forced to reapply for registration, but could be rejected if anyone linked to the organisation had shown “public support for a boycott of Israel in the past seven years” or if they failed to meet “exhaustive reporting requirements.” They would also be required to supply Israel with sensitive information about staff and their...