US-Backed Aid Operation Begins in Gaza Amid Leadership Resignation and Mounting Controversy

 Gaza City, May 27 — The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a newly established U.S.-supported aid initiative, commenced its first deliveries of food aid to Gaza on Monday, despite the abrupt resignation of its executive director and ongoing international scrutiny surrounding the operation’s principles and transparency.

The foundation reported that truckloads of food had reached its designated distribution hubs, though it did not disclose the number of deliveries made, the precise locations of the hubs, or the methodology used to select recipients. The announcement came amid earlier reports from Palestinian sources that no aid had yet been observed on the ground.

In a statement, GHF said: “More trucks with aid will be delivered tomorrow, with the flow of aid increasing each day.” The initiative, which has been endorsed by the Israeli government but rejected by the United Nations and several humanitarian organizations, is seen as a controversial attempt to circumvent existing international aid mechanisms.

The launch of the GHF’s aid distribution coincided with escalating violence in Gaza. Israeli airstrikes on Monday reportedly killed at least 52 people, including 30 in a school in Gaza City where displaced civilians had sought shelter. Israel’s military confirmed the strike, claiming the school was being used by Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives to coordinate attacks. However, no supporting evidence was provided, and the strike drew swift condemnation from international observers.

The controversy deepened Sunday, when GHF Executive Director Jake Wood tendered his resignation, citing the foundation’s inability to operate in accordance with internationally accepted humanitarian principles.

“It has become clear that it is not possible to implement this plan while also strictly adhering to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence—principles which I will not abandon,” Wood said in his statement. He has been succeeded on an interim basis by John Acree.

Composed of former military, government, and humanitarian officials, the GHF has said it aims to reach over one million Gazans—approximately half of the territory’s population—by the end of the week. The foundation plans to use four central distribution hubs in southern Gaza, reportedly employing private security contractors and potential biometric screening to prevent diversion of aid to Hamas militants, according to aid officials familiar with the plan.

However, the system has drawn sharp criticism. The United Nations and major international NGOs argue the model lacks transparency, undermines established humanitarian coordination, and may weaponize aid distribution. Hamas condemned the approach, alleging it replaces order with “chaos” and facilitates “engineered starvation” under the guise of aid.

As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza intensifies after nearly three months of blockade, global pressure on Israel to facilitate unfettered aid access has increased. While a limited quantity of aid was permitted into Gaza last week, humanitarian organizations warn it remains insufficient to stave off looming famine.

The German government, a close ally of Israel, joined growing international voices urging restraint, stating the civilian toll in Gaza has reached levels that "can no longer be justified" under the banner of counterterrorism.

Monday's developments underscore the complex intersection of humanitarian urgency, military conflict, and geopolitical strategy. As the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation attempts to expand its operations, questions remain over the feasibility, ethics, and long-term implications of bypassing traditional aid channels amid ongoing hostilities.