Head of US- and Israel-Backed Gaza Aid Group Resigns Over Humanitarian Concerns

Rabat – The head of a controversial aid group supported by the United States and Israel has resigned, saying the organization cannot follow key humanitarian principles while operating in Gaza. 

Jake Wood, a US military veteran and the former executive director of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), stepped down just weeks after the group launched its operations in May. He announced his resignation on Sunday.

Wood said he could no longer continue with the GHF because the group’s work did not respect the humanitarian principles of “humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence.”

“However, 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,” Wood stated.

He ended his statement by calling on Israel to allow more aid to reach Gaza’s population and said that humanitarian principles must be respected, even in the middle of conflict.

The GHF was created with backing from Israel and the US government. But the organization has faced criticism from United Nations agencies and other aid groups, who warned that its operations could endanger civilians in Gaza and undermine independent humanitarian work.

In its response to Wood’s resignation, the GHF board said it was “disappointed” by his decision. It accused critics of focusing more on attacking the organization than helping people in need. 

Despite Wood’s departure, the GHF announced that it will begin aid deliveries in Gaza on Monday. The organization said it plans to expand its efforts quickly to feed the entire population of Gaza, which is around 2.3 million people.

The aid comes as Gaza faces a worsening humanitarian crisis. Israel recently said it would allow only “minimal” aid into the territory. International organizations have warned that famine is spreading in the enclave, with many people already dying from hunger.

Gaza’s Ministry of Health revealed last week that at least 29 individuals, all of whom were children and elderly, have died from famine in recent days.