GAZA SET TO RECEIVE AID BY THE END OF MAY FROM US-BACKED GROUP

UNITED NATIONS/WASHINGTON, May 14 - A U.S.-backed humanitarian organization will begin operations in Gaza by the end of May under a controversial aid distribution plan, but has requested that Israel allow the United Nations and other agencies to resume deliveries to Palestinians in the interim period.

The newly created Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) will spearhead the operation, which represents a significant shift in how aid reaches the enclave. According to a source familiar with the plans, U.S. security firm UG Solutions and U.S.-based Safe Reach Solutions, which specializes in logistics and planning, will be involved in the implementation.

No humanitarian assistance has reached Gaza since March 2, creating increasingly desperate conditions. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a global hunger monitor, has warned that half a million people—approximately a quarter of Gaza's population—now face imminent starvation as the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas continues into its twentieth month.

Israel has justified blocking humanitarian deliveries by accusing Hamas of diverting aid, allegations the militant group denies. Israeli authorities have insisted they will not allow resumption of aid flows until Hamas releases all remaining hostages, though they have expressed support for what they call "the American humanitarian plan."

The plan, which was initially proposed by Israel, represents a significant departure from traditional aid mechanisms. It relies on private companies rather than established international organizations to transport humanitarian supplies into Gaza to a limited number of designated "secure distribution sites" in the southern portion of the territory. Once delivered to these sites, the assistance would then be handed over to aid organizations for distribution to civilians.

Washington has urged the United Nations and established aid groups to collaborate with the GHF. However, these organizations have expressed significant reservations, arguing that the proposed operation may not adhere to fundamental humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, independence, and neutrality.

"We have made clear our problems with the sort of aid mechanism that's been proposed," deputy U.N. spokesperson Farhan Haq stated earlier on Wednesday, referencing substantial criticism of the plan by U.N. aid chief Tom Fletcher.

In an apparent effort to address some of these concerns, the foundation's executive director, Jake Wood, sent a letter to Israel on Wednesday. The communication included assurances that the foundation would not share any personally identifiable information of aid recipients with Israeli authorities.

Despite these assurances, humanitarian experts remain skeptical about the plan's departure from established protocols for delivering aid in conflict zones, particularly given the unprecedented scale of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza after more than a year and a half of conflict.