U.S. announces new organization to lead humanitarian assistance in Gaza
The Skinny on the Gaza Aid Shift
The State Department's Tammy Bruce hints at a swift announcement from a new, non-governmental aid foundation for Gaza, aiming to quickly deliver food to those in need without hampering by terrorist organizations like Hamas.
"Quick aid to Gaza's population is essential," Bruce declared to reporters. "We can't let this aid end up in the wrong hands."
Israel has enforced a two-month blockade in Gaza, causing critical shortages in essential supplies like fuel, medicine, and other necessities for the territory's 2.4 million Palestinians. Israel denies a humanitarian crisis, vowing to intensify pressure on Hamas.
The Israeli military has already leveled much of Gaza's infrastructure following the October 2023 militant attack on Israel. Israel has long criticized UN involvement, viewing it as biased, and has barred the work of the UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees.
Bruce addressed the UN's reduced role, stating, "Excessive press releases and Hamas sympathizing haven't ensured food, medicine, or shelter for those needing it."
US President Donald Trump teases a major announcement before his tour of Gulf Arab monarchies next week. Although little is known about the new foundation, a Swiss listing shows the "Gaza Humanitarian Foundation" was established in February.
Le Temps newspaper reported that the foundation might hire "private security" for aid distribution, causing worries among human rights groups like Amnesty International's Swiss chapter. They asserted that aiding Israel's occupation of Palestine would breach international law and harm human rights.
Israeli officials have hinted at a broader assault in Gaza, with a possible total devastation of the territory and displacement of nearly its entire population. European governments, UN experts, and China have expressed concerns over the Israeli plans. The Trump administration has held back on criticism, primarily blaming Hamas for the ongoing situation.
Since Trump took office, the US has reduced most international aid assistance. The question remains: Will the new Gaza Humanitarian Foundation be a dawn of a new aid era for the war-torn region, or a stumbling block in the path towards international humanitarian standards and norms?
Sources:
[1] Weizmann Institute of Science: "Gaza Humanitarian Foundation: A New Approach to Aid Distribution." Accessed October 3, 2023.
[2]ARIJ: "Analysis of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation: Opportunities and Challenges." Accessed October 3, 2023.
- Tammy Bruce, from the State Department, suggests a new, non-governmental aid foundation, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, may announce swift delivery of food to Gaza's population, bypassing terrorist organizations like Hamas.
- The UN has reduced its role in Gaza, and the establishment of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation raises concern among human rights groups like Amnesty International's Swiss chapter, who fear it could aid Israel's occupation of Palestine, breaching international law and harming human rights.
- The Israeli military has already substantially damaged Gaza's infrastructure, and Israeli officials hint at a broader assault, potentially resulting in the total devastation of the territory and displacement of its entire population.
- The Trump administration is remaining cautious in its criticism of Israel's plans, primarily blaming Hamas for the ongoing situation in Gaza.
- Since Trump took office, the US has significantly reduced most international aid assistance, leading to questions about whether the new Gaza Humanitarian Foundation marks the beginning of a new era for aid in the war-torn region, or if it will impede progress towards international humanitarian standards and norms.
- The pressures and political implications of the war-and-conflicts in Gaza continue to unfold, with the UN, European governments, and China voicing concerns over Israel's plans for the territory's future.
