Acutely Criticized Plan: Trade UN-Led Aid for Contractor-Controlled Supplies in Gaza
U.S.-aligned faction presents plan to seize control of humanitarian aid dispersal in Gaza from United Nations, allegedly.
A contentious proposal by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a group made up of US security contractors, former military officers, and humanitarian aid officials, threatens to drastically reshape the aid distribution landscape in Gaza. This new approach bears striking similarities to plans previously discussed by Israel.
The proponents of the GHF envision a revamped aid distribution system, superseding the existing United Nations (UN) and other international aid agencies controlled system. The 14-page GHF proposal, obtained by Associated Press, elaborates on plans comparable to those Israel has been discussing privately with international aid groups for weeks.
Under the GHF's vision, Palestinians would receive pre-assembled food, drinking water, hygiene products, blankets, and other vital items at four designated distribution hubs guarded by private security contractors. The group intends to collaborate with the UN and international aid agencies in the distribution process.
A US official confirming the document's authenticity reports that David Beasley, the former director of the UN World Food Program, is considered the leading candidate to head GHF. However, the official adds that Beasley's role is not yet confirmed, and the proposal remains subject to potential modifications.
Israel has enforced a blockade on food, fuel, medicine, and other essential supplies for the past 10 weeks, intensifying a humanitarian crisis for the 2.3 million Palestinians residing in Gaza enclave. The Israeli government has expressed its aim is to compel Hamas militants to free the 59 hostages they retain in Gaza. Israel has also stated it will not lift the blockade until a new system is in place granting Israel control over distribution.
A UN official has expressed concerns that Israel's strategy would weaponize aid by limiting eligibility for assistance. Israel alleges that Hamas and other militant organizations divert substantial amounts of aid for their benefit and use it to strengthen their units. However, the UN and aid workers deny the accusation of significant diversion.
The GHF Proposal - How will it work?
The GHF proposal calls for the initial setup of four distribution centers, each serving 300,000 people. When scaled up, the new system could potentially support two million people. The plan does not specify a timeframe, but aid workers caution that food in Gaza is rapidly depleting due to Israel's blockade.
According to the plan, subcontractors will utilize armored vehicles to transport supplies from the border to the distribution sites, where they will also offer security services. The document does not specify the source of the security personnel but suggests they could possibly originate from the Netzarim Corridor, an Israeli-controlled area cutting off northern Gaza. Previously, a private logistics and operations company named Safe Reach Solutions has operated within the corridor.
The plan envisions assistance provided according to need, with no prerequisites for eligibility. Aid workers state that Israel has expressed intentions to perform vetting and facial recognition checks on potential recipients.
Aid Groups React
Aid workers have expressed substantial skepticism regarding the GHF's plan, arguing that it would fail to accommodate Gaza's large population and might forcibly relocate large numbers of Palestinians to establish proximity to the aid centers.
Throughout the past Israel-Hamas clashes in Gaza, the UN and other humanitarian organizations have spearheaded a colossal aid delivery effort. They have coordinated the transportation of essential goods and distributed them across the region, approaching the affected populace as closely as possible. Aid workers have attributed previous system difficulties to Israeli military operations, movement restrictions, and insufficient aid supplies.
Critics also question whether the GHF would comply with humanitarian requirements for neutrality and independence. Shaina Low, communications adviser for Norwegian Refugee Council, one of the primary organizations in Gaza, stated that aid organizations are concerned the plan could be used to further political and military goals. By forcing the population to move around aid centers, the system could depopulate entire Gaza regions and potentially be employed to expel the population.
"They are framing (the plan) to fix the problem that doesn't really exist," Low asserted, referring to Israel's accusations of Hamas stealing aid.
The use of private security firms has also raised concerns among humanitarian workers. While private security companies are common in conflict zones, they are expected to maintain compliance with humanitarian laws, have full vetting, and monitoring processes.
Tamara Alrifai, communications director for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), which has been spearheading the aid effort in Gaza, stated that the plan was impractical. Alrifai questioned the foundation's capacity to meet the current infrastructure requirements for distributing food and addressing other humanitarian needs.
Related:
- Drone strike strikes down 'Freedom Flotilla' Gaza aid ship off Malta, organizers blame Israel
- Israel Issues Completehalt on All Goods and Aid Entering Gaza
- The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) proposal suggests setting up four distribution centers in Gaza, each serving 300,000 people initially and potentially supporting up to two million people in the future.
- The GHF plan involves subcontractors using armored vehicles to transport supplies from the border to the distribution sites, where they would also provide security services, possibly sourced from the Netzarim Corridor.
- Israel has expressed intentions to perform vetting and facial recognition checks on potential recipients, which aid workers contend could lead to forced relocation of Palestinians near the aid centers.
- The United Nations, aid organizations, and humanitarian workers have expressed concerns about the GHF proposal, questioning its compliance with humanitarian requirements, capacity to meet infrastructure needs, and potential political manipulation in war-and-conflicts, general news, crime-and-justice, and politics sections of platforms like LinkedIn and general-news outlets.
