The United Nations emphasizes compliance with the principles of neutrality and independence in providing life-saving humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
The UN says it will not take part in the humanitarian operation of US aid in Gaza as Israel has vowed to promote efforts without being involved in the delivery of aid.
“This particular distribution plan is not in line with our fundamental principles, including fairness, neutrality and independence. We will not participate in this,” Deputy United Nations spokesman Farhan Hak told reporters Thursday.
The US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation will begin work in Gaza by the end of May under aid plan that criticized UN aid director Tom Fletcher, described as “fig leaves for further violence and displacement” of Palestinians in Gaza.
Speaking to Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s Antalya reporters on Thursday, critics admitted the criticism, saying Washington is open to alternative plans to get assistance from civilians “wouldn’t Hamas be able to steal it.”
“We are not immune and in any way insensitive to the suffering of the people of Gaza. I know that there is an opportunity here to provide assistance to them,” Rubio said after speaking to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday.
“There’s criticism about that plan. If someone has something better, we’re embracing an alternative,” he said.
The UN Humanitarian Office Coordination Office said Thursday that the UN “has a robust, principled operational plan to provide humanitarian aid and life-saving services on a scale and across the Gaza Strip.”
Israel accused Hamas of stealing aid, and the group denied it, blocking all humanitarian assistance provision to Gaza since March 2, demanding Hamas be released all remaining prisoners.
The Gaza Strip said it “faces a serious risk of hunger” after more than a year and a half of a catastrophic war, according to a report from the integrated food security stage classification initiative released Monday.
To address some concerns, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has asked Israel to expand the first limited number of so-called safe aid distribution sites in southern Gaza, south of Gaza, within 30 days. It also calls for Israel to resume delivery of aid until the United Nations and others are set up.
“I’m not familiar with these requests, and I say I’m grateful for the efforts of the United States,” Israeli Ambassador Danny Danone told reporters Thursday.
“We don’t fund these efforts. We promote them. We enable them,” he said. “We don’t give assistance…it’s run by the US-led fund itself.”
Israel and the United States are urging the United Nations and aid organizations to work together with the Foundation.
It is unclear how the foundation will be funded. A State Department spokesperson said U.S. government funding will not be sent to the foundation.
The foundation fact sheet, which is being distributed among the aid community last week, respects David Beasley, former UN World Food Program chief, who was respected as a potential advisor. However, a source familiar with the effort said Beasley is not currently involved.