US aid plan initially only supplies 60% of Gaza, UN rejects

US aid plan initially only supplies 60% of Gaza, UN rejects

CNN reports on the US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, who has a American-Israeli plan to direct humanitarian aid to certain parts of Gaza. Huckabee acknowledged that aid will initially only reach about 60% of the population.

Humanitarian aid mechanisms in Gaza

Huckabee explained that the aid mechanism, managed by a newly formed U.S.-led private foundation, aims to distribute food in a way that "Hamas is unable to gain access." Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of stealing and profiting from humanitarian aid. However, according to humanitarian aid organizations, the majority of food aid reaches civilians in need.

Distribution of relief supplies

Under the U.S.-Israeli plan, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation will take charge of setting up distribution points secured by private U.S. military contractors and staffed by aid workers. The Israeli military will be involved “in necessary military security” outside the immediate vicinity of the distribution points, Huckabee said in a speech at the US Embassy in Jerusalem.

The foundation initially plans to set up four distribution points aimed at distributing “prepackaged rations, hygiene kits and medical supplies” to a total of 1.2 million Palestinians, representing about 60% of Gaza's population. In response to a question from CNN about what will happen to the remaining 40% of Gaza's population, Huckabee explained that the mechanism will be "expanded" over time.

Criticism of the aid plans

The United Nations and other leading aid agencies in Gaza have rejected the US-Israeli plan. They argue that it would facilitate the forced relocation of Palestinians and would not meet the needs of the population. “This mechanism appears practically unworkable, incompatible with humanitarian principles and will create serious security risks while failing to comply with Israel's obligations under international law,” the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said.

The UN also criticized the small number of distribution points compared to the approximately 400 that operated in Gaza before Israel's total blockade. With few points available, displaced Palestinians could be forced to walk long distances while carrying heavy packages for large families.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza

Amjad Al-Shawa, director of the organization that represents Palestinian aid groups in Gaza, told CNN that she had not received any information about the proposal and said that the organizations involved in the US plan did not take into account "the fundamental humanitarian principle of our people."

Huckabee acknowledged the worsening situation in Gaza, saying: "The greatest danger, the most important danger, is that people will starve." He acknowledged that there is a human crisis and stressed the urgency of action. The implementation of the plan is ongoing and the initial implementation “will not be perfect, especially in the first few days.”

Resistance to the auxiliary mechanism

It is expected to take at least two more weeks before the new mechanism can begin delivering assistance in Gaza. And it will take several more weeks before the program can be expanded to serve a larger portion of Gaza's population. However, the introduction of the mechanism is subject to resistance from human support actors.

Huckabee urged anyone who speaks of a crisis to join the effort to address the situation. Some humanitarian actors have already registered. Former CEO of disaster relief organization Team Rubicon is expected to serve as executive director, and former World Central Kitchen executive Nate Mook is expected to serve on the board.