Gaza Humanitarian Fund head resigns, says plan cannot be implemented while 'adhering to humanitarian principles of humanity'
Jake Wood's resignation comes before implementation of new plan begins
Jake Wood, CEO of the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF) – the body intended to manage the new humanitarian aid mechanism in the Gaza Strip – announced his resignation on Monday, even before the plan's implementation began.
In a press release, Wood criticized the Israeli-led plan. According to Wood, “It is clear that it is not possible to implement this plan while also strictly adhering to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, which I will not abandon.”
His remarks follow recent reports that the new aid mechanism would, in practice, be under Israeli control and, therefore, he claimed, could not meet the humanitarian needs of Gaza’s residents.
GHF is a Switzerland-based fund established with the support of Israel and the United States to manage the new aid distribution mechanism in Gaza. The idea was to create a system ensuring that aid does not reach Hamas, primarily by distributing it in fenced-off, closed areas where entry for Gazan residents would only be allowed after screening.
Wood effectively stated that it is not possible to uphold this principle without severely hindering the ability of many residents in the Strip to access aid.
His resignation adds to mounting criticism from international aid organizations in recent days, which argue that the proposed system is unworkable as a mechanism meant to meet Gaza’s humanitarian needs.
Meanwhile, a direct shipment of aid to Gaza is expected today (Monday). Deliveries are anticipated to reach one million Palestinians in Gaza by the end of the week, however, sources familiar with the matter say this depends on final approval from Israel’s political leadership.
Moav Vardi is a chief international correspondent for KAN 11 News.
