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Arab News
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Swiss authorities exploring probe into Gaza aid group
GENEVA: Swiss authorities said on Sunday they were exploring whether to open a legal investigation into the activities of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization that plans to oversee aid distribution in the Palestinian enclave. The move comes after a Swiss NGO submitted a request for a probe into GHF's aid plan, which the UN has opposed, saying it is not impartial or neutral and forces further displacement and exposes thousands of people to harm. The GHF, which has said it hopes to start work in Gaza by the end of May, said it 'strictly adheres' to humanitarian principles, and that it would not support any form of forced relocation of civilians. Israel has allowed limited aid deliveries to resume this week after having stopped all aid deliveries to Gaza on March 2. TRIAL International, a Switzerland-based NGO, on Friday said it had filed two legal submissions asking Swiss authorities to investigate whether the Swiss-registered GHF complies with Swiss law and international humanitarian law. The submissions were made to the Swiss Federal Supervisory Authority for Foundations and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, or FDFA, on May 20 and 21. The FDFA on Sunday confirmed that both authorities had received the submissions. TRIAL International said it asked the Swiss FDFA to explain if the GHF had submitted a declaration, in accordance with Swiss law, to use private security companies to distribute aid, and if Swiss authorities had approved it. The FDFA said it was investigating whether such a declaration would be required for the foundation. It said that the Federal Supervisory Board for Foundations cannot review whether foundations comply with their statutes until they start their activities. The GHF said that though using private security firms represents a change from prior aid delivery frameworks, it would ensure aid is not diverted to Hamas or criminal organizations.
Leaders
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
Swiss NGO Requests Authorities to Investigate Gaza Humanitarian Foundation
A Swiss-based NGO has urged authorities to legally investigate the activities of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US-backed organization that plans to oversee aid distribution in Gaza, according to Reuters. Similarly, the United Nations described the aid plan placed by GHF as 'not impartial or neutral'. Moreover, it leads to more displacement and exposes thousands of people to harm. Therefore, the UN decided not to be part of the plan. Set to begin work in Gaza by the end of May, the GHF told Reuters it 'strictly adheres' to humanitarian principles, and that it would not support any form of forced relocation of civilians. Israel has allowed the resumption of limited aid deliveries this week after blockading the entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza since March 2. On Friday, TRIAL International, a Switzerland-based NGO, stated it had filed two legal submissions to Swiss authorities requesting the investigation of GHF, which is registered in Geneva. 'We're asking Switzerland to exercise their own obligation under the Geneva Conventions to respect international humanitarian law…there are very grave issues at stake,' Philip Grant the Executive Director of TRIAL International told Reuters. Since the beginning of Hamas-Israel War in Gaza in 2023, the Israeli strikes have killed at least 53,500 Palestinians and wounded more than 118,000, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Related Topics: UAE, Israel Reach Agreement to Deliver Urgent Humanitarian Aid to Gaza OIC Denounces Israeli Airstrike on Gaza Hospital, Cites Risk of Humanitarian Crisis Saudi Arabia Launches Humanitarian Air Bridge to Syria Short link : Post Views: 13
Asharq Al-Awsat
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Swiss Authorities Exploring Probe into US-backed Gaza Aid Group
Swiss authorities said on Sunday they were exploring whether to open a legal investigation into the activities of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organisation that plans to oversee aid distribution in the Palestinian enclave. The move comes after a Swiss NGO submitted a request for a probe into GHF's aid plan, which the United Nations has opposed, saying it is not impartial or neutral and forces further displacement and exposes thousands of people to harm. The GHF, which has said it hopes to start work in Gaza by the end of May, told Reuters it "strictly adheres" to humanitarian principles, and that it would not support any form of forced relocation of civilians. Israel has allowed limited aid deliveries to resume this week after having stopped all aid deliveries to Gaza on March 2. TRIAL International, a Switzerland-based NGO, on Friday said it had filed two legal submissions asking Swiss authorities to investigate whether the Swiss-registered GHF complies with Swiss law and international humanitarian law. The submissions were made to the Swiss Federal Supervisory Authority for Foundations and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) on May 20 and 21. The FDFA on Sunday confirmed to Reuters that both authorities had received the submissions. TRIAL International said it asked the Swiss FDFA to explain if the GHF had submitted a declaration, in accordance with Swiss law, to use private security companies to distribute aid, and if it had been approved by Swiss authorities. The FDFA told Reuters it is investigating whether such a declaration would be required for the foundation. It said that the Federal Supervisory Board for Foundations cannot review whether foundations comply with their statutes until they start their activities. The GHF told Reuters that though using private security firms represents a change from prior aid delivery frameworks, it would ensure aid is not diverted to Hamas or criminal organizations.
Al Arabiya
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Swiss authorities exploring probe into US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation
Swiss authorities said on Sunday they were exploring whether to open a legal investigation into the activities of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization that plans to oversee aid distribution in the Palestinian enclave. The move comes after a Swiss NGO submitted a request for a probe into GHF's aid plan, which the United Nations has opposed, saying it is not impartial or neutral and forces further displacement and exposes thousands of people to harm. For the latest updates on the Israel-Palestine conflict, visit our dedicated page. The GHF, which has said it hopes to start work in Gaza by the end of May, told Reuters it 'strictly adheres' to humanitarian principles, and that it would not support any form of forced relocation of civilians. Israel has allowed limited aid deliveries to resume this week after having stopped all aid deliveries to Gaza on March 2. TRIAL International, a Switzerland-based NGO, on Friday said it had filed two legal submissions asking Swiss authorities to investigate whether the Swiss-registered GHF complies with Swiss law and international humanitarian law. The submissions were made to the Swiss Federal Supervisory Authority for Foundations and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) on May 20 and 21. The FDFA on Sunday confirmed to Reuters that both authorities had received the submissions. TRIAL International said it asked the Swiss FDFA to explain if the GHF had submitted a declaration, in accordance with Swiss law, to use private security companies to distribute aid, and if it had been approved by Swiss authorities. The FDFA told Reuters it is investigating whether such a declaration would be required for the foundation. It said that the Federal Supervisory Board for Foundations cannot review whether foundations comply with their statutes until they start their activities. The GHF told Reuters that though using private security firms represents a change from prior aid delivery frameworks, it would ensure aid is not diverted to Hamas or criminal organizations.
Reuters
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Swiss authorities exploring probe into US-backed Gaza aid group
GENEVA, May 25 (Reuters) - Swiss authorities said on Sunday they were exploring whether to open a legal investigation into the activities of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S.-backed organisation that plans to oversee aid distribution in the Palestinian enclave. The move comes after a Swiss NGO submitted a request for a probe into GHF's aid plan, which the United Nations has opposed, saying it is not impartial or neutral and forces further displacement and exposes thousands of people to harm. The GHF, which has said it hopes to start work in Gaza by the end of May, told Reuters it "strictly adheres" to humanitarian principles, and that it would not support any form of forced relocation of civilians. Israel has allowed limited aid deliveries to resume this week after having stopped all aid deliveries to Gaza on March 2. TRIAL International, a Switzerland-based NGO, on Friday said it had filed two legal submissions asking Swiss authorities to investigate whether the Swiss-registered GHF complies with Swiss law and international humanitarian law. The submissions were made to the Swiss Federal Supervisory Authority for Foundations and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) on May 20 and 21. The FDFA on Sunday confirmed to Reuters that both authorities had received the submissions. TRIAL International said it asked the Swiss FDFA to explain if the GHF had submitted a declaration, in accordance with Swiss law, to use private security companies to distribute aid, and if it had been approved by Swiss authorities. The FDFA told Reuters it is investigating whether such a declaration would be required for the foundation. It said that the Federal Supervisory Board for Foundations cannot review whether foundations comply with their statutes until they start their activities. The GHF told Reuters that though using private security firms represents a change from prior aid delivery frameworks, it would ensure aid is not diverted to Hamas or criminal organizations.
