United Nations aid chief Tom Fletcher has criticised an Israel-initiated and US-backed humanitarian aid distribution plan for Gaza as a “fig leaf for further violence and displacement” of Palestinians in the war-torn enclave.
“It is cynical sideshow. A deliberate distraction,” Fletcher told the UN Security Council.
No humanitarian aid has been delivered to Gaza since March 2, and a global hunger monitor has warned that half a million people face starvation, a quarter of the enclave’s population.
Israel proposed last week that private companies would take over handing out aid in Gaza’s south once an expanded Israeli offensive starts in its war there, which began in October 2023 after Hamas attacked Israel. Aid deliveries have been handled by international aid groups and UN organisations.
“We can save hundreds of thousands of survivors. We have rigorous mechanisms to ensure our aid gets to civilians and not to Hamas, but Israel denies us access, placing the objective of depopulating Gaza before the lives of civilians,” said Fletcher.
Israel has accused Hamas of stealing aid, which the group denies, and is blocking deliveries until Hamas releases all remaining hostages.
Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar, currently on an official visit to Japan, said yesterday that Israel endorsed what he called “the American humanitarian plan” under which aid would be provided by a private fund.
“It will go directly to the people. Hamas must not be allowed to get their hands on it,” Sa’ar said.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has rejected Israel’s proposal, saying in April it risked “further controlling and callously limiting aid down to the last calorie and grain of flour.”
The UN says any aid distribution must be independent, impartial and neutral, in line with humanitarian principles.
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