UN rejects US-backed Gaza aid plan over neutrality concerns
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The UN will not join the US-led Gaza aid plan, citing a lack of neutrality, as the Israeli occupation says it will not aid in aid distribution.
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Palestinians struggle to get donated food at a community kitchen in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip, Thursday, May 15, 2025 (AP)
The United Nations announced on Thursday that it will not participate in a US-backed humanitarian operation in Gaza, citing concerns over the plan’s failure to meet core humanitarian principles of impartiality, neutrality, and independence.
"This particular distribution plan does not accord with our basic principles," said Deputy UN Spokesperson Farhan Haq during a press briefing. "We will not be participating in this."
The initiative, known as the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), is set to begin operations by the end of May. It has faced criticism from humanitarian organizations and UN officials who warn that the structure and oversight of the plan could compromise aid delivery and exacerbate tensions in the blockaded strip.
The GHF, led by the United States, has requested that the Israeli occupation expand a limited number of secure aid distribution sites in southern Gaza to the more heavily affected north within 30 days. It has also asked for UN agencies and other organizations to resume aid deliveries temporarily until the foundation is fully operational.
Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon claimed the Israeli regime supported the initiative but stressed that it would not take an active role in the distribution.
"We will not fund those efforts. We will facilitate them. We will enable them," Danon said. "Some of them will have to cross through territory that we operate." He added that the GHF would be independently run and "led by the US," with Israeli forces not present at the operation centers.
No aid to Gaza in months
No aid has entered Gaza since March 2, and humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate. According to international famine monitors, more than 500,000 people, around a quarter of Gaza’s population, are facing imminent starvation. The blockade persists amid allegations from the Israeli occupation that Hamas is diverting aid, a claim the group denies. The Israeli occupation has conditioned the resumption of aid deliveries on the release of all remaining captives held by Hamas.
While the US and the Israeli occupation have urged the UN and humanitarian organizations to cooperate with the GHF, skepticism persists. Critics argue the foundation does not adhere to the humanitarian principles outlined by the UN and international law.
Danon said the “major operation” would launch soon, adding: “Israel will not be involved inside the operation center. We will not be the one giving the aid. We will not be even in those centers. It will be run by the fund itself, led by the US And I’m happy that few NGOs joined these efforts.”
US establishes fund for Gaza aid distribution
The United States announced on Friday the creation of a new, independent foundation designed to lead the distribution of humanitarian aid without Israeli military involvement.
The new Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (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.
On Thursday, the US State Department confirmed with spokeswoman Tammy Bruce that the foundation is non-governmental and will make a formal announcement soon.
"When they make their announcement, you'll have the details you need," she told reporters, without elaborating further.
