Latest news with #HTAs
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
GHF slams Reuters over 'false, so-called' document of Gazan relocation, 'deradicalization plan'
GHF stated that it had informed the news agency that it had never seen, created, or been involved in this presentation prior to its publication. Editor's note: A previous version of this article featured the unconfirmed report. This has since been edited to show the Gaza Humanitarian Fund's response. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) slammed Reuters for its report that claimed it proposed building camps called 'Humanitarian Transit Areas' inside - and possibly outside - Gaza to house the Palestinian population, outlining its vision of "replacing Hamas's control over the population in Gaza." GHF stated that it had informed the news agency that it had never seen, created, or been involved in this presentation prior to its publication. "As we made clear to them [Reuters] repeatedly, GHF is not planning for or implementing Humanitarian Transit Areas (HTAs) now or at any point in the future," GHF said in a statement toThe Jerusalem Post. "It is disturbing that they falsely reported this disinformation despite repeated denials. Our sole focus remains on scaling up food aid operations to meet the urgent and overwhelming needs of the population in Gaza," the statement added. ThePost has reached out to GHF Director Reverand Johnnie Moore for comment. Following GHF's dispute with its report, Reuters heavily edited it, adding a statement that "it could not be determined who created or submitted the document." Reuters had reported that the $2 billion plan, created sometime after February 11 for GHF, was submitted to the Trump administration and recently discussed in the White House, according to a source familiar with the matter. The plan, according to Reuters, describes the camps as "large-scale" and "voluntary" places where the Gazan population could 'temporarily reside, deradicalize, re-integrate and prepare to relocate if they wish to do so.' The Washington Post made a reference to GHF's plans to build housing compounds for Palestinian non-combatants in May. A slide deck, according to Reuters, goes into granular detail on the "Humanitarian Transit Zones," including how they would be implemented and what they would cost. It calls for using the sprawling facilities to "gain trust with the local population" and to facilitate US President Donald Trump's "vision for Gaza." Reuters could not independently determine the status of the plan, who submitted it, or whether it is still under consideration. The aid group, responding to questions from Reuters, denied that it had submitted a proposal and said the slides "are not a GHF document." GHF said it had studied "a range of theoretical options to safely deliver aid in Gaza," but that it "is not planning for or implementing Humanitarian Transit Areas (HTAs)." Rather, the organization said it is solely focused on food distribution in Gaza. A spokesperson for SRS, a for-profit contracting company that works with GHF, told Reuters, "We have had no discussions with GHF about HTAs, and our 'next phase' is feeding more people. Any suggestion otherwise is entirely false and misrepresents the scope of our operations." The document included the GHF name on the cover and SRS on several slides. On February 4, Trump first publicly said that the US should "take over" the war-battered enclave and rebuild it as "the Riviera of the Middle East" after resettling the population of 2.3 million Palestinians elsewhere. Trump's comments angered many Palestinians and humanitarian groups about the possible forced relocation from Gaza. Even if the GHF proposal is no longer under consideration, the idea of moving a large portion of the population into camps will only deepen such worries, several humanitarian experts told Reuters. The White House did not respond to a request for comment. The proposal was laid out in a slide presentation that a source said was submitted to the US embassy in Jerusalem earlier this year. The US State Department declined to comment. A senior administration official said, "Nothing of the like is under consideration. Also, no resources are being directed to that end in any way." The source working on the project said that it had not moved forward due to a lack of funds. Reuters previously reported that GHF had attempted to set up a Swiss bank account from which to solicit donations, but UBS and Goldman Sachs declined to work with the organization. The Israeli Embassy in the US did not respond to a request for comment. Ismail Al-Thawabta, director of the Hamas-run Gaza government media office, told Reuters it "categorically" rejects the GHF, calling it "not a relief organization but rather an intelligence and security tool affiliated with the Israeli occupation, operating under a false humanitarian guise." The undated slide presentation, which includes photos dated February 11, said that the GHF is "working to secure" over $2 billion for the project, to "build, secure and oversee large-scale Humanitarian Transit Areas (HTAs) inside and potentially outside Gaza strip for the population to reside while Gaza is demilitarized and rebuilt." The Humanitarian Transit Areas described in the slides would be the next phase in an operation that began with GHF opening food distribution sites in the enclave in late May, according to two sources involved in the project. GHF coordinates with the Israeli military and uses private US security and logistics companies to get food aid into Gaza. It is favored by the Trump Administration and Israel to carry out humanitarian efforts in Gaza as opposed to the UN-led system, which it says lets terrorists divert aid. Hamas denies this and says Israel is using hunger as a weapon. In June US State Department approved $30 million in funding for the GHF and called on other countries to also support the group. The United Nations has called GHF's operation "inherently unsafe" and a violation of humanitarian impartiality rules. The UN human rights office says it has recorded at least 613 killings at GHF aid points and near humanitarian convoys run by other relief groups, including the UN. One slide outlining a timeline said a camp would be operational within 90 days of the launch of the project and that it would house 2,160 people, along with a laundry, restrooms, showers, and a school. A source working on the project said that the slide deck is part of a planning process that began last year and envisions a total of eight camps, each one capable of sheltering hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. The proposal did not specify how the Palestinians would be relocated into the camps, or where the camps could be built outside Gaza, but a map shows arrows pointing to Egypt and Cyprus as well as other points labeled "Additional Destination?" GHF would 'oversee and regulate all civil activities required for construction, deradicalization and temporary voluntary relocation,' the proposal said. Responding to questions from Reuters, three humanitarian experts expressed alarm over details of the plan to build camps. 'There is no such thing as voluntary displacement amongst a population that has been under constant bombardment for nearly two years and has been cut off from essential aid,' said Jeremy Konyndyk, president of the Refugees International advocacy group and a former senior US Agency for International Development official who reviewed the plan. The source who worked on planning for the camps told Reuters that the intent "is to take the fear factor away," enabling Palestinians to "escape control of Hamas" and providing them "a safe area to house their families."
Kuwait Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
US-backed aid group proposed ‘Humanitarian Transit Areas' in Gaza
GAZA STRIP: A controversial US-backed aid group proposed building camps called 'Humanitarian Transit Areas' inside - and possibly outside - Gaza to house the Palestinian population, according to a proposal reviewed by Reuters, outlining its vision of 'replacing Hamas' control over the population in Gaza.' The $2 billion plan, created sometime after February 11 for the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, or GHF, was submitted to the Trump administration and recently discussed in the White House, according to a source familiar with the matter. The plan, reviewed by Reuters, describes the camps as 'large-scale' and 'voluntary' places where the Gazan population could 'temporarily reside, deradicalize, re-integrate and prepare to relocate if they wish to do so.' The Washington Post made a reference to GHF plans to build housing compounds for Palestinian non-combatants in May. A slide deck seen by Reuters goes into granular detail on the 'Humanitarian Transit Zones,' including how they would be implemented and what they would cost. It calls for using the sprawling facilities to 'gain trust with the local population' and to facilitate US President Donald Trump's 'vision for Gaza.' Reuters could not independently determine the status of the plan, who submitted it, or whether it is still under consideration. The aid group, responding to questions from Reuters, denied that it had submitted a proposal and said the slides 'are not a GHF document.' GHF said it had studied 'a range of theoretical options to safely deliver aid in Gaza,' but that it 'is not planning for or implementing Humanitarian Transit Areas (HTAs).' Rather, the organization said it is solely focused on food distribution in Gaza. A spokesperson for SRS, a for-profit contracting company that works with GHF, told Reuters 'we have had no discussions with GHF about HTAs, and our 'next phase' is feeding more people. Any suggestion otherwise is entirely false and misrepresents the scope of our operations.' The document included the GHF name on the cover and SRS on several slides. On February 4, Trump first publicly said that the US should 'take over' the war-battered enclave and rebuild it as 'the Riviera of the Middle East' after resettling the population of 2.3 million Palestinians elsewhere. Trump's comments angered many Palestinians and humanitarian groups about the possible forced relocation from Gaza. Even if the GHF proposal is no longer under consideration, the idea of moving a large portion of the population into camps will only deepen such worries, several humanitarian experts told Reuters. The White House did not respond to a request for comment. The proposal was laid out in a slide presentation that a source said was submitted to the US embassy in Jerusalem earlier this year. The US State Department declined to comment. A senior administration official said, 'nothing of the like is under consideration. Also, no resources are being directed to that end in any way.' The source working on the project said that it had not moved forward due to a lack of funds. Reuters previously reported that GHF had attempted to set up a Swiss bank account from which to solicit donations, but UBS and Goldman Sachs declined to work with the organization. The Zionist Embassy in the US did not respond to a request for comment. Ismail Al-Thawabta, director of the Hamas-run Gaza government media office, to told Reuters it 'categorically' rejects the GHF, calling it 'not a relief organization but rather an intelligence and security tool affiliated with the Zionist occupation, operating under a false humanitarian guise.' The undated slide presentation, which includes photos dated February 11, said that the GHF is 'working to secure' over $2 billion for the project, to 'build, secure and oversee large-scale Humanitarian Transit Areas (HTAs) inside and potentially outside Gaza strip for the population to reside while Gaza is demilitarized and rebuilt.' The Humanitarian Transit Areas described in the slides would be the next phase in an operation that began with GHF opening food distribution sites in the enclave in late May, according to two sources involved in the project. – Reuters
Roya News
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
Leaked Gaza ‘deradicalization' camp plan sparks fears of forced displacement: Reuters
A proposal obtained by Reuters has sparked concern among humanitarian experts over a plan to establish massive 'Humanitarian Transit Areas' (HTAs) for Palestinians inside, and potentially outside, the Gaza Strip. The plan, which carries the name of the US-aligned Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), outlines a USD 2 billion initiative to build large camps aimed to "temporarily residing" Palestinians, as well as "deradicalize, re-integrate and prepare to relocate if they wish to do so.' According to two sources familiar with the matter, the proposal was shared with the Trump administration earlier this year and was recently discussed in Washington. The project's stated aim is to transition control over Gaza's population away from Hamas, presenting the HTAs as 'voluntary' shelters where residents can temporarily live while Gaza is rebuilt. The plan also appeared in a presentation obtained by Reuters, which includes maps, timelines, and cost estimates. One slide suggested the first camp could be functional within 90 days and accommodate over 2,000 people. A longer-term vision includes the construction of up to eight camps, each capable of housing hundreds of thousands. While the proposal did not explain how residents would be moved to these areas, it showed potential destinations including Egypt and Cyprus. Despite the document prominently featuring the logos of GHF and the for-profit contractor SRS, both organizations have denied authorship or involvement. GHF told Reuters that the slides 'are not a GHF document,' stressing that it is not planning or implementing any such camps. 'Our focus is solely on food distribution,' the group said. SRS echoed that message, saying it has had 'no discussions with GHF about HTAs' and any claims suggesting otherwise were 'entirely false.' The White House declined to comment, while a senior US official said, 'nothing of the like is under consideration,' and no funding is being directed toward it. Still, the plan's emergence has alarmed humanitarian leaders. 'There is no such thing as voluntary displacement amongst a population that has been under constant bombardment for nearly two years and has been cut off from essential aid,' said Jeremy Konyndyk, head of Refugees International and a former US aid official. Concerns over forced relocation resurfaced after former President Donald Trump suggested in February that the US should take over Gaza and turn it into the 'Riviera of the Middle East' comments widely condemned by Palestinians and human rights groups. Ismail Al-Thawabta, Director of Gaza's Government Media Office, told Reuters the foundation is 'not a relief organization but rather an intelligence and security tool affiliated with the Israeli occupation.' Since opening its food distribution operations in Gaza in May, GHF has coordinated with the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) and US security firms to move aid through non-UN channels, an approach favored by the Trump administration but criticized by the UN and aid groups. The United Nations has called the foundation's operations unsafe and a breach of humanitarian neutrality, reporting that hundreds have died at GHF distribution sites or near convoys. While the status of the camp proposal remains unclear, critics argue that even discussing such a plan in a war-ravaged and displaced population risk legitimizing mass relocation under the guise of humanitarian relief.
Business Recorder
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
US-backed aid group proposed ‘Humanitarian Transit Areas' for Palestinians in Gaza
A controversial US-backed aid group proposed building camps called 'Humanitarian Transit Areas' inside - and possibly outside - Gaza to house the Palestinian population, according to a proposal reviewed by Reuters, outlining its vision of 'replacing Hamas' control over the population in Gaza.' The $2 billion plan, created sometime after February 11 for the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, or GHF, was submitted to the Trump administration and recently discussed in the White House, according to a source familiar with the matter. The plan, reviewed by Reuters, describes the camps as 'large-scale' and 'voluntary' places where the Gazan population could 'temporarily reside, deradicalize, re-integrate and prepare to relocate if they wish to do so.' The Washington Post made a reference to GHF plans to build housing compounds for Palestinian non-combatants in May. A slide deck seen by Reuters goes into granular detail on the 'Humanitarian Transit Zones,' including how they would be implemented and what they would cost. Hamas, Israel resume talks as Netanyahu set to meet Trump It calls for using the sprawling facilities to 'gain trust with the local population' and to facilitate US President Donald Trump's 'vision for Gaza.' Reuters could not independently determine the status of the plan, who submitted it, or whether it is still under consideration. The aid group, responding to questions from Reuters, denied that it had submitted a proposal and said the slides 'are not a GHF document.' GHF said it had studied 'a range of theoretical options to safely deliver aid in Gaza,' but that it 'is not planning for or implementing Humanitarian Transit Areas (HTAs).' Rather, the organization said it is solely focused on food distribution in Gaza. A spokesperson for SRS, a for-profit contracting company that works with GHF, told Reuters 'we have had no discussions with GHF about HTAs, and our 'next phase' is feeding more people. Any suggestion otherwise is entirely false and misrepresents the scope of our operations.' Gaza truce talks to resume in Doha before Netanyahu heads to US The document included the GHF name on the cover and SRS on several slides. Relocation fears On February 4 Trump first publicly said that the US should 'take over' the war-battered enclave and rebuild it as 'the Riviera of the Middle East' after resettling the population of 2.3 million Palestinians elsewhere. Trump's comments angered many Palestinians and humanitarian groups about the possible forced relocation from Gaza. Even if the GHF proposal is no longer under consideration, the idea of moving a large portion of the population into camps will only deepen such worries, several humanitarian experts told Reuters. Israeli Prime Minister says he believes Trump can help seal a ceasefire deal The White House did not respond to a request for comment. The proposal was laid out in a slide presentation that a source said was submitted to the US embassy in Jerusalem earlier this year. The US State Department declined to comment. A senior administration official said, 'nothing of the like is under consideration. Also, no resources are being directed to that end in any way.' The source working on the project said that it had not moved forward due to a lack of funds. Reuters previously reported that GHF had attempted to set up a Swiss bank account from which to solicit donations, but UBS and Goldman Sachs declined to work with the organization. The Israeli Embassy in the US did not respond to a request for comment. Ismail Al-Thawabta, director of the Hamas-run Gaza government media office, to told Reuters it 'categorically' rejects the GHF, calling it 'not a relief organization but rather an intelligence and security tool affiliated with the Israeli occupation, operating under a false humanitarian guise.' 'Large-scale' camps The undated slide presentation, which includes photos dated February 11, said that the GHF is 'working to secure' over $2 billion for the project, to 'build, secure and oversee large-scale Humanitarian Transit Areas (HTAs) inside and potentially outside Gaza strip for the population to reside while Gaza is demilitarized and rebuilt.' The Humanitarian Transit Areas described in the slides would be the next phase in an operation that began with GHF opening food distribution sites in the enclave in late May, according to two sources involved in the project. GHF coordinates with the Israeli military and uses private US security and logistics companies to get food aid into Gaza. It is favored by the Trump Administration and Israel to carry out humanitarian efforts in Gaza as opposed to the U.N.-led system which it says let the group divert aid. Hamas denies this and says Israel is using hunger as a weapon. In June US State Department approved $30 million in funding for the GHF and called on other countries to also support the group. The United Nations has called GHF's operation 'inherently unsafe' and a violation of humanitarian impartiality rules. The U.N. human rights office says it has recorded at least 613 killings at GHF aid points and near humanitarian convoys run by other relief groups including the U.N. One slide outlining a timeline said a camp would be operational within 90 days of the launch of the project and that it would house 2,160 people, along with a laundry, restrooms, showers and a school. A source working on the project said that the slide deck is part of a planning process that began last year and envisions a total of eight camps, each one capable of sheltering hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. The proposal did not specify how the Palestinians would be relocated into the camps, or where the camps could be built outside Gaza, but a map shows arrows pointing to Egypt and Cyprus as well as other points labeled 'Additional Destination?' GHF would 'oversee and regulate all civil activities required for construction, deradicalization and temporary voluntary relocation,' the proposal said. Responding to questions from Reuters, three humanitarian experts expressed alarm over details of the plan to build camps. 'There is no such thing as voluntary displacement amongst a population that has been under constant bombardment for nearly two years and has been cut off from essential aid,' said Jeremy Konyndyk, president of the Refugees International advocacy group and a former senior US Agency for International Development official who reviewed the plan. The source who worked on planning for the camps told Reuters that the intent 'is to take the fear factor away,' enabling Palestinians to 'escape control of Hamas' and providing them 'a safe area to house their families.'
