Gaza Humanitarian Foundation to start delivering aid amid its director’s resignation

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a newly established humanitarian organization with backing from the United States and Israel, announced its plans to commence delivering aid to the Gaza Strip on May 26, 2025. This announcement comes at a critical time when Gaza faces one of the most severe humanitarian crises in recent history, intensified by ongoing conflict and blockade. However, the foundation’s launch has been overshadowed by the unexpected resignation of its executive director, Jake Wood, who stepped down citing serious concerns about the foundation’s approach to aid distribution.

The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

For years, Gaza has been enduring escalating hardships due to repeated conflicts, economic blockades, and limited access to essential resources. The ongoing conflict has devastated infrastructure, caused widespread displacement, and left millions in urgent need of food, water, medical supplies, and shelter. The blockade and intermittent airstrikes have created a near-impossible environment for effective humanitarian response, making the arrival of any aid critical to survival for many residents.

Amid this backdrop, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation was launched with the mission of addressing immediate humanitarian needs by distributing aid to the Palestinian population in Gaza. With promises to serve over one million people in the initial phase and plans to scale up to reach the entire population over time, the GHF’s goals are ambitious.

The Director’s Resignation: Concerns Over Principles

Jake Wood’s resignation after just two months in his role as executive director has raised eyebrows and stirred controversy. In a public statement, Wood explained that he could no longer reconcile the foundation’s operational methods with core humanitarian principles, specifically neutrality, impartiality, and independence. These principles are foundational to humanitarian work globally and aim to ensure that aid reaches those in need without discrimination, coercion, or political influence.

Wood criticized the foundation’s model, which includes the use of armed contractors to secure aid distribution hubs and strict control measures requiring Palestinian civilians to undergo identification checks and remain within guarded compounds during aid collection. He argued that this approach undermines the essential humanitarian principle of neutrality by involving armed personnel, potentially compromising the safety and dignity of aid recipients.

Furthermore, Wood expressed concern that these security protocols could contribute to forced displacement and restrict the freedom of movement for Palestinians, exacerbating the very crisis the aid is meant to alleviate. His resignation letter highlighted the ethical dilemmas faced by humanitarian actors working under politically sensitive and conflict-ridden conditions.

The Foundation’s Response and Controversies

Despite the resignation and critical voices, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has maintained its commitment to proceed with the planned aid distribution. Spokespersons for the foundation emphasized their focus on ensuring aid reaches those most in need while operating in a complex security environment.

The GHF’s approach has drawn mixed reactions from the international community, humanitarian groups, and the United Nations. Critics argue that involving armed security in aid delivery blurs the lines between humanitarian work and military operations, potentially jeopardizing the perceived neutrality that is critical for humanitarian access and trust.

Some aid organizations and UN officials have warned that the foundation’s model risks politicizing aid distribution, potentially enabling forced displacement or coercive control of Palestinian populations. This concern is heightened by the backdrop of ongoing conflict and reports of forced relocations within Gaza.

Supporters of the foundation contend that operating in Gaza under current conditions is extraordinarily difficult and that ensuring security for aid deliveries is necessary to prevent interference, theft, or diversion of aid resources. They argue that the foundation’s methods are pragmatic responses to the realities on the ground, balancing humanitarian needs with security concerns.

The Larger Humanitarian Landscape

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s efforts come as part of a broader, fragmented international humanitarian response to the crisis in Gaza. Many established organizations face operational challenges, including restricted access, funding shortages, and political pressures.

The United Nations and various NGOs continue to call for unimpeded humanitarian access, ceasefires to allow aid delivery, and respect for international humanitarian law. However, the complex political and security situation often impedes these calls, leaving civilians caught in the crossfire.

The GHF’s entry into Gaza’s aid ecosystem reflects attempts to introduce new players to address gaps but also exposes the challenges of navigating aid delivery in a heavily militarized and politically charged environment.

The Human Impact

For the residents of Gaza, the arrival of humanitarian aid can mean the difference between life and death. Many families face severe shortages of food, clean water, and medical care, compounded by damaged infrastructure and disrupted supply chains. The prolonged blockade and conflict have eroded livelihoods, pushed many into poverty, and limited access to basic services.

While the GHF’s plans to deliver aid to over one million people offer hope, the controversy surrounding the foundation’s methods raises difficult questions about how best to deliver assistance without further harm or politicization.

The concerns voiced by Jake Wood resonate with many humanitarian workers who emphasize that aid must be provided in ways that preserve human dignity, respect local populations, and avoid reinforcing power imbalances or conflict dynamics.

Looking Ahead

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s commitment to begin delivering aid amid internal disagreements and external criticism highlights the complex realities of humanitarian work in conflict zones. As aid begins to flow, close monitoring and transparent reporting will be essential to assess the impact, fairness, and safety of the distribution efforts.

Humanitarian actors and the international community must balance urgency with principle, ensuring that aid not only meets immediate needs but also adheres to the ethical frameworks designed to protect vulnerable populations.

Jake Wood’s resignation serves as a reminder of the ethical dilemmas that can arise when humanitarian efforts intersect with political and security challenges. It underscores the ongoing need for humanitarian actors to advocate for approaches that maintain neutrality, impartiality, and independence, even in the most difficult environments.

Conclusion

The launch of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s aid program marks a significant moment in the ongoing struggle to alleviate suffering in Gaza. While the foundation faces serious challenges, including the loss of its director and concerns about its methods, the urgent needs of the Gazan population remain unchanged.

Moving forward, the success of humanitarian efforts will depend on finding ways to deliver aid that respect humanitarian principles, protect recipients, and ultimately contribute to alleviating the crisis without fueling further conflict or displacement.

In this fragile and volatile context, the world watches closely, hoping that aid efforts can provide meaningful relief to millions in Gaza while upholding the dignity and rights of those affected.