US-backed group eyes control of Gaza aid in Israel-style plan - War on Gaza

Al-Ahram Weekly

09-05-2025

A group of American security contractors, ex-military officers, and humanitarian officials has put forward a proposal to take over the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza, modeled on plans devised by Israel.
The proposal, which was obtained by the Associated Press, calls for a system that would replace current U.N. and international agencies, which have faced significant Israeli interference and attacks.
Known as the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), the group aims to implement a framework similar to one Israel has been privately discussing with aid organizations.
However, while the U.N. and humanitarian groups have strongly opposed Israel's plans to control aid distribution, it remains unclear whether the GHF's approach will resolve or exacerbate these concerns.
Israel's ongoing blockade of Gaza, now in its 10th week, has left 2.3 million Palestinians without access to food, fuel, medicine, and basic supplies, deepening the humanitarian crisis.
The Israeli government has maintained that it will not allow aid into Gaza until a distribution system is put in place that gives it oversight. The U.N. has condemned these plans, warning they would 'weaponize aid' and deprive Palestinians of critical relief.
A shift in control
The 14-page proposal circulated this week lays out plans for GHF to oversee Gaza's aid distribution, positioning itself as a replacement for U.N. efforts.
GHF's leadership includes former U.S. military personnel, corporate executives, and individuals linked to private security companies.
GHF proposes establishing centralized distribution hubs across Gaza, initially serving 1.2 million people with the eventual goal of scaling up to aid the entire population.
The distribution sites would be protected by private security contractors using armored vehicles, raising fears of militarized control over humanitarian efforts and the displacement of large numbers of Palestinians as they are forced to relocate closer to these hubs.
Humanitarian concerns
Aid workers have expressed alarm over the proposal, warning that it could fail to meet Gaza's urgent needs and entrench the occupation by sidelining Palestinian institutions.
Shaina Low, communications adviser for the Norwegian Refugee Council, described the plan as 'a Trojan horse for military and political goals,' adding that it could lead to the forced displacement of populations from certain areas of Gaza.
The use of private security contractors has also drawn criticism. While private firms are often used in conflict zones, experts warn that GHF's reliance on such entities could undermine humanitarian law.
Jamie Williamson, executive director of the International Code of Conduct Association, called for full vetting and oversight of all security personnel involved in the operation.
The GHF proposal also raises questions about U.S. involvement.
Backed by the Trump administration, the foundation is positioned as an alternative to the traditional U.N.-led aid system, with an emphasis on working 'within the confines' of Israel's imposed restrictions.
However, many view this as an effort to shift control of Gaza's aid away from international organizations, further consolidating Israeli authority in the region.
The proposal's leadership, which includes former Israeli officials and ties to private U.S. companies, would also sideline Palestinian governance, thus undermining prospects for a fair and independent aid distribution process.
A dangerous precedent for Gaza
For many aid workers, the GHF plan represents a dangerous departure from established humanitarian principles.
Tamara Alrifai, communications director for the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), called the proposal 'logistically unworkable,' warning that it fails to match the current infrastructure needed to address Gaza's dire humanitarian crisis.
Alrifai also raised concerns about the long-term consequences of abandoning existing aid systems, which are grounded in international law and established protocols.
The U.N. and aid organizations have consistently emphasized the need for impartial and neutral assistance—values that are hard to reconcile with a plan that involves private contractors and the imposition of Israeli oversight.
As such, the proposal risks shifting the balance of humanitarian aid away from international agencies. It has also sparked widespread concern that it will further militarize aid and entrench an occupation that has already inflicted irreparable harm on Gaza's population.
*This story was edited by Ahram Online.
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