UN refuses to cooperate with 'Israel', US firms in Gaza aid scheme
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Gaza’s tribal commission rejects US-linked GHF, warns against replacing UNRWA and militarizing aid under foreign agendas.
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Palestinians struggle to receive cooked food distributed at a community kitchen in the Muwasi area of Khan Younis, in the Gaza Strip, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP)
Israeli media outlets reported on Saturday, citing US officials, that the United Nations “refused to cooperate with Israel and American companies in the distribution of aid in the Gaza Strip.”
Meanwhile, the Government Media Office in Gaza stated in a press release on Saturday that the Israeli occupation is promoting a misleading narrative that claims it is allowing the entry of humanitarian aid, “while the reality shows that only around 100 trucks have entered, less than 1% of the basic needs of the population.”
The office clarified that this minimal quantity of aid entered the Strip even though “no less than 46,200 trucks loaded with aid and fuel are required to meet the bare minimum of humanitarian needs.”
Gaza Clans' Affairs Commission reject foreign interference
The Higher Commission for Clans' Affairs in the southern governorates of the Gaza Strip has strongly rejected any foreign intervention aimed at undermining national sovereignty or bypassing international institutions operating in Gaza, particularly the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
In an official statement issued Saturday, the commission denounced attempts to introduce the US-led Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) to take over humanitarian aid distribution in the Strip, describing the move as a “blatant violation of national and community trust” and a “dangerous prelude to ending the UN role in Gaza and replacing it with politically driven actors.”
Warning against militarizing humanitarian work
The statement further warned, “We strongly caution against the militarization of humanitarian work and the transformation of relief into a tool for control over Gaza under the guise of aid.”
It emphasized that the company in question “lacks any legal status, enjoys no popular or tribal legitimacy, and its entry into Gaza is considered a red line.”
UNRWA, Red Crescent praised for longstanding role
The tribal commission reaffirmed the presence of “established and experienced local and international institutions” that have long supported the Palestinian people in Gaza, foremost among them UNRWA, which the statement described as a “political and national symbol.”
“Our commitment to UNRWA is a commitment to the right of return and a defense of Palestinian existence,” the statement added, also acknowledging the important role of the Egyptian Red Crescent in facilitating aid deliveries during the ongoing aggression on Gaza.
United tribal stance against suspicious entities
Concluding its statement, the commission reiterated its unwavering position “on behalf of all families and tribes in the Gaza Strip,” rejecting any suspicious company that seeks to dismantle the national and societal fabric of Gaza.
It expressed full support for international institutions operating on the ground, “especially UNRWA,” and issued a clear warning against any measures that violate the dignity of the Palestinian people or compromise their decision-making.
What is known about GHF
The United States announced earlier in May the creation of a new, independent foundation designed to lead the distribution of humanitarian aid without Israeli military involvement.
The GHF, which will take over the critical task of distributing humanitarian aid, will ensure that aid reaches the Palestinian people without the involvement of Israeli forces.
However, the Financial Times on Wednesday revealed that dozens of foreign private contractors have arrived in occupied Palestine to support the rollout of a contentious US-endorsed aid initiative for Gaza, one that could sideline the United Nations and reshape how assistance is delivered amid one of the globe's most dire humanitarian emergencies.
The United Nations, which has historically led aid operations in Gaza, strongly criticized the initiative. One official dismissed it as a "fig leaf" for forced relocation. Adding to the confusion, an individual listed as a GHF board member in internal documents said they had no role in the organization. "The entire thing turned toxic," said a source involved with the effort.
Read more: Guterres condemns Gaza aid obstruction as UN rejects US-Israeli plan
