Gaza Humanitarian Foundation to Launch Aid Operations by Month-End Amid Operational Challenges and Criticism

 May 15, 2025 — Gaza | A newly established, U.S.-backed aid organization, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), announced on Wednesday that it will commence humanitarian operations in the Gaza Strip by the end of May, in coordination with Israeli authorities. The development marks a significant step in an alternative aid delivery mechanism intended to bypass diversion risks associated with Hamas.

While GHF stated that Israel has agreed to temporarily lift its over two-month-long blockade to facilitate "transitional aid" deliveries, the Israeli government has yet to publicly confirm this concession. However, a senior Israeli official informed The Times of Israel that a formal announcement may be forthcoming.

Established earlier this year with backing from figures in the Trump administration, GHF was designed in close coordination with Israel to supervise aid flows in Gaza with a mandate to prevent misappropriation by Hamas. The initiative emerged amid growing distrust between Jerusalem and existing UN-affiliated humanitarian bodies operating in the region.

Despite its ambitions, the rollout of GHF has faced substantial resistance from international organizations unwilling to operate under the stringent terms imposed by Israel. Chief among the criticisms was the initial restriction limiting aid distribution to only four "Safe Distribution Sites" (SDSs) located in southern Gaza—a plan that GHF itself conceded could serve, at best, only 60% of the population.

In its inaugural statement, GHF confirmed it has since secured Israeli approval to expand the number of SDSs across the territory, although the exact number of approved locations remains undisclosed. As of last week, construction had begun on just one SDS, supervised by the Israel Defense Forces.

Operational Challenges and Funding Concerns

The foundation’s executive director, Jake Wood—founder and former CEO of disaster relief group Team Rubicon—has been at the forefront of negotiations with Israeli authorities. In a recent letter to the Israeli government, Wood outlined a series of operational requirements, including calls for the identification of viable SDS locations in northern Gaza and assurances that personally identifiable information of aid recipients would not be shared with Israeli authorities.

Wood emphasized the urgency of the mission, stating, “There is no time to wait for ideal conditions. We have a responsibility to act and to do it without compromising our values.”

GHF aims to distribute 300 million meals within its first 90 days of operation by leveraging food stockpiles from existing aid groups in Gaza. However, the foundation has yet to clarify which organizations will participate. UN-backed agencies have explicitly declined to join, citing humanitarian concerns related to Israel’s restrictive conditions.

Key Criticisms and Reactions

Aid workers have denounced the original GHF framework for its limited access points, infrequent distribution schedule, and a burdensome requirement for selected family representatives to carry heavy aid packages over long distances—leaving recipients vulnerable to theft.

Further complicating matters, the United Arab Emirates recently rejected a request to fund the GHF initiative. According to sources familiar with the discussions, Emirati officials informed Israel that the proposal, in its current form, fails to adequately address the scale and urgency of the humanitarian crisis. They signaled, however, that a revised approach might merit reconsideration.

GHF also faces questions about its governance. A memo circulated to prospective donors listed individuals purportedly set to serve on its board, several of whom had not agreed to such roles, according to sources cited by The Times of Israel.

Security and Oversight

Two U.S.-based security contractors—UG Solutions and Safe Reach Solutions—have reportedly agreed to manage logistics and security at the SDSs, ensuring that the IDF's role is limited to perimeter security in designated humanitarian zones.

Although Israel halted most aid shipments into Gaza on March 2, citing concerns over Hamas interference, Israeli military officials have since warned that the enclave is teetering on the brink of famine, raising pressure to reinstate relief operations.

Meanwhile, reports suggest that Israel may soon launch a large-scale military operation intended to reassert permanent control over the entire Gaza Strip. This has intensified scrutiny of the humanitarian response, with observers urging safeguards to prevent civilian harm and ensure impartial aid delivery.

GHF insists that its model—neutral, secure, and cooperative—will create an operational space where NGOs can function effectively, even under heightened security constraints. Whether this approach gains traction with global stakeholders remains to be seen.