By Atoyebi Nike
Jake Wood, head of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), has stepped down from the controversial Israel- and US-supported initiative to distribute aid in Gaza, saying it fails to meet international humanitarian standards.
Wood, a former US Marine and experienced relief coordinator, announced his resignation Sunday, citing the inability to implement the plan while respecting principles of neutrality, impartiality, and independence.
The GHF plan, widely criticised by the UN and aid agencies, involves private contractors delivering aid through Israeli-designated points in southern Gaza. It requires displaced Palestinians—many elderly, injured, or malnourished—to collect heavy aid packages themselves, raising concerns about accessibility and fairness.
UN officials and NGOs have slammed the approach as politicised, militarised, and deeply flawed. “It forces further displacement and makes starvation a bargaining chip,” warned UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher.
Despite the backlash and Wood’s exit, GHF said it would proceed with aid delivery, aiming to reach one million people within days. Israeli officials defended the plan, saying it seeks to bypass Hamas and prevent aid diversion.
Recent reports suggest the initiative may have originated from within Israeli military and business circles, intensifying scrutiny over its neutrality. Meanwhile, humanitarian groups continue to call for a return to established, UN-led distribution methods to ensure access for Gaza’s most vulnerable.
Gaza remains in deep crisis, with the World Food Programme warning the population is on the brink of famine. UN data reports at least 57 children have died from malnutrition in recent months, despite Israel’s partial lifting of a blockade last week.
PHOTO CREDIT AFP
