US Aides Push Gaza Aid Through Private Firms, UN Raises Concerns
US to Deliver Gaza Aid Through Private Firms
The United States has announced a new plan to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza through private companies, despite warnings from the UN. This comes as Israel continues its blockade on Gaza for the third month, leading to a dire humanitarian crisis.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said the plan will involve setting up secure distribution centers guarded by private contractors. These centers will provide food and other necessities to over a million people initially. The US claims the aim is to prevent Hamas from stealing aid.
UN Rejects Plan, Citing Concerns Over ‘Weaponizing Aid’
However, the UN has strongly rejected the plan, stating that it does not align with humanitarian principles. Jens Laerke, spokesman for the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), emphasized that any aid efforts must be impartial and guided by humanitarian values.
“We will not participate in efforts that are at odds with the DNA of any principled humanitarian organisation,” Laerke said.
Gaza Faces Humanitarian Crisis
The situation in Gaza is increasingly dire. A third of the territory’s community kitchens have shut down due to a lack of food and fuel, leaving many vulnerable residents struggling to survive. Basic foodstuffs prices have skyrocketed, with a 25kg bag of flour now costing $415 in Gaza City, a 30-fold increase from February.
The UN warns that mass starvation is imminent without immediate and unhindered access to aid.
Israel’s Controversial Plan
Israel insists the new aid system will ensure aid reaches those in need and prevent Hamas from diverting it. They plan to set up distribution hubs in southern Gaza, accessible only on foot and under strict security measures.
However, the UN argues that the plan is insufficient, proposing only a fraction of the aid needed to meet the growing crisis. The UN also criticizes the plan’s potential to displace Gazans further, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation.
UN Neutrality at Stake
The UN’s rejection of this plan raises serious concerns about the future of humanitarian aid in conflict zones. If the UN were to comply with Israel’s demands, it could compromise its impartiality and neutrality, setting a dangerous precedent for future interventions.
The impasse over aid delivery to Gaza highlights the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and a commitment from all parties to prioritize the well-being of the civilian population.
