The United States Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, announced on Friday the initiation of a new system for the delivery of humanitarian aid and food to Gaza, with operations expected to commence “very soon”.
Recognising reports of starvation and the dire humanitarian crisis, Huckabee stated that various charities, nonprofits, and multiple governments would collaborate on this new aid distribution framework, intended to supersede the current United Nation-led effort.
“Notable amount of effort, and it is going to require the partnership not only of governments, but of NGOs, charitable organisations, nonprofits from around the world,” said Huckabee.
“There are several partners who have already agreed to be a part of the effort. We’re not prepared to name them as of yet because some of the details of their participation are being worked out,” he continued.
Huckabee did not offer much detail on the logistics of this new initiative, but emphasised that Israel would ensure the security of the deliveries.
“The first is that food be distributed efficiently, but also that it’s distributed safely inside Gaza to the people who desperately need it. The other factor, and this is an important one, that all of this be done in a way so that Hamas is not able to get their hands on it.”
Huckabee asserted that Israel will only provide security details to ensure aid reaches the people it’s intended to reach. The system at large however, is to be managed independently.
Israel has expressed worries about looting and diversion of intended to Hamas fighters, allegations that have been refuted by UN officials and humanitarian workers.
In light of these concerns, Israel continues to enforce its blockade on essential supplies such as food, fuel, and medicine.
Although Israel has declared that it will permit aid to enter Gaza only under a system that allows it to oversee distribution, Huckabee stressed that this new system should not be labelled as Israel’s.
The UN have routinely rejected any plans which hand over control of the distribution of aid to Israel.
UN officials say any arrangement in which Israel decides who receives what and how much violates the organisation’s humanity principles which vow to ensure humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality.
Additional sources • AP
