US-backed GHF foundation to start distributing Gaza aid in ‘days'
A private US-backed foundation set up to distribute aid in war-stricken Gaza said Wednesday that it will start handing out supplies in 'coming days' and that its aim was to complement rather than replace the United Nations.
The United Nations has said it will not take part in the operation being prepared by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) that opponents among private aid groups have said is working closely with Israel.
The foundation, which has been based in Geneva since February, said in a statement it 'will be operational in the coming days and will deliver aid to the people of Gaza without delay, diversion, or discrimination.'
It said that its 'new secure delivery mechanism' was 'the only mechanism to get aid into Gaza on a sustainable basis.'
The foundation insisted that it would not replace the United Nations and other agencies working in Gaza.
'The success of the GHF plan relies on close partnership and collaboration with the UN and traditional aid organizations," it said.
'GHF will restore the logistics, security, and access that the traditional aid organizations have lost. Traditional aid groups can utilize GHF's new secure delivery mechanisms to deliver their assistance.'
It added: 'This new model also protects aid workers, who too often were caught in the crossfire, and allows these groups to perform their work without fear or aid being stolen or misused.'
The GHF has emerged as international pressure has mounted on Israel on conditions in Gaza, where it has pursued a military onslaught in response to the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel.
With a two-month-old blockade on the territory only eased this week, agencies say that people risk dying of starvation.
Israel says it has enforced the blockade because Hamas diverted humanitarian supplies delivered by the UN and other groups. The United Nations has denied the allegations.
The GHF has said it will distribute some 300 million meals in its first 90 days of operation.
The latest statement said that four initial 'Secure Distribution Sites' will be set up -- three in south Gaza and one in Central Gaza. 'Within the next month, additional sites will be opened, including in northern Gaza.'
'To ensure aid is not diverted to Hamas or criminal organizations, the GHF will use security contractors to transport aid from border crossings to the Secure Distribution Sites.
'Once the aid is at the sites, it will be distributed directly to the people of Gaza by civilian humanitarian teams. To be clear, security contractors will not be interfacing with the people of Gaza.'
The foundation insisted that the Israeli military (IDF) will have 'no operational control' over its work.
'GHF is in communication with Israeli officials solely for the purposes of deconfliction and to ensure aid can be delivered safely. IDF will not have a presence within the immediate vicinity of the distribution sites,' it said.
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