U.S. expresses concerns over Gaza humanitarian predicament, amenable to proposing alternative solutions, according to Rubio
Loosening the Stranglehold in Gaza:
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed a willingness for fresh ideas to aid Gaza on Thursday, following robust criticism of a US-Israeli plan. Rubio, voicing worry over the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, stated, "We're open to an alternative if someone has a better one."
A private US-backed foundation, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), planned to initiate aid deliveries in Gaza by the end of the month. Israel has been enforcing a blockade in the territory, causing UN agencies and humanitarian groups to caution of dwindling fuel and medicine supplies for the 2.4 million Palestinians residing there.
Rubio discussed the Gaza crisis with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as President Donald Trump toured Arab monarchies in the Gulf region. The GHF aims to provide nearly 300 million meals during an initial 90-day period, though the foundation's background is not well-known, having been headquartered in Geneva since February.
When asked about US funding for the organization, State Department deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott referred reporters to the foundation for more details. Pigott described the initiative as an "independent plan," endorsed by the US due to its creative solutions to alleviate the crisis. The UN, however, declined involvement in the project due to concerns over its adherence to humanitarian principles, including impartiality, neutrality, and independence.
The GHF intends to coordinated and distribute humanitarian aid in Gaza while maintaining safety and transparency. The organization is headed by a group of experts in disaster relief, security, and finance. Notable figures include John Acree, a former USAID response leader, and Bill A. Miller, a former UN Director of Regional Operations.
Critics question the plan's potential to weaponize humanitarian aid and its alignment with UN values. Yet, the GHF invites NGOs to join its logistics and security frameworks. Some NGOs are hesitant due to the plan's ties to Israeli military oversight and the US government's pressure to support the initiative.
The UN has trucks filled with food prepared to enter Gaza, but Israel has not allowed a return to the previous aid system due to concerns of ties to Hamas. Meanwhile, Hamas dismissed further ceasefire talks amid Israel's "hunger war" in Gaza.
- The upcoming activities of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which has received US backing and aims to provide 300 million meals to Gaza during an initial 90-day period, have sparked discussions on war-and-conflicts and politics, as critics question the plan's potential to weaponize humanitarian aid and its alignment with UN values.
- The UN Secretary-General, despite having trucks filled with food prepared to enter Gaza, is facing a conflict with Israel, as Israel has not allowed a return to the previous aid system due to concerns of ties to Hamas, while Hamas, in the meantime, dismisses further ceasefire talks, accusing Israel of waging a "hunger war" in Gaza.
