US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation to Begin Aid Distribution by End of May

A US-backed humanitarian group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), announced it will start aid operations in Gaza by the end of May, Arab News reported. The foundation has requested Israel to allow aid deliveries to flow under existing procedures until its secure distribution sites are fully operational. Since March 2, no humanitarian aid has entered Gaza, where half a million people face starvation amid ongoing conflict.

GHF plans to distribute aid from secure sites across Gaza but urged Israel to expand the current limited number of approved sites in southern Gaza to include northern areas as well. Executive Director Jake Wood emphasized the need to serve the entire civilian population and requested the Israeli Defense Forces identify locations in northern Gaza for GHF’s operations within 30 days. He also called for continued aid flow during the setup phase to ease humanitarian pressure.

US firms UG Solutions and Safe Reach Solutions will assist with logistics and planning. The International Committee of the Red Cross stressed that aid must not be politicized or militarized and called for immediate, unhindered access.

Israel accuses Hamas of diverting aid and is withholding deliveries until hostages are released. Israeli officials expressed support for the US humanitarian plan, while responses to GHF’s requests remain pending.