Jake Wood, founding executive director of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, stepped down May 25. His resignation was announced amid increasing criticism of the group’s activities in Gaza. Since commencing operations in 2010, the foundation has delivered more than 95 million meals to civilians. Though being tested now with allegations of violence at its distribution centers, violence ICC attributes to misinformation originating with Hamas.
In late June, the Trump administration authorized a $30 million grant to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. According to other internal documents reviewed by The Guardian, they have already disbursed $7 million of that total. Yet the foundation’s operational model has set off alarm bells with a growing number of U.S. legislators. In response, 21 Senate Democrats have demanded an immediate cessation of funding. They claim that American taxpayer dollars should be used to support their charitably-disguised, multi-national corporate-funded, paper parachuting, bad scheme.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, with four distribution sites as of recently, have had these locations turned into “killing fields” since going live in May. More than 700 food-seeking civilians have died at these sites during the continuing conflict. The national organization has continued to deny that any violence occurred at its facilities. They’re convinced that the images of violence are the product of a disinformation campaign run by Hamas.
U.S. security contractors play an active role in the foundation’s operations. This unique involvement brings up critical issues regarding the intersection of aid delivery and military security. Tony Aguilar, a U.S. Army veteran, felt the toxic, dangerous environment at these sites himself. He contracted for the foundation in other capacities. He described disturbing examples in which Israeli snipers shot at Palestinians waiting at distribution points to receive humanitarian assistance.
In an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, Rev. Johnnie Moore offered a radical proposal. He proposed that the new Gaza Humanitarian Foundation be put in charge of distributing all United Nations assistance now languishing unused in Gaza. He stated, “The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation can feed starving Gazans,” emphasizing the organization’s capability to deliver aid.
Critics say the foundation’s military-style model crosses the clear line between humanitarian assistance and military operations. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Peter Welch subsequently requested that Secretary Rubio. They highlighted the impact of frequent civilian casualties on public support and underscored the requirement to act according to humanitarian principles. They stated, “According to reports and eyewitness accounts, civilians have been fired at by tanks, drones, and helicopters, as well as soldiers on the ground, as they attempt to get food and humanitarian supplies.”
The senators have given Rubio two weeks to answer in writing specific queries about how the initiative would be funded, and how contractors would operate. Angus King, an independent senator, has voiced his opposition to U.S. support of Israeli actions in Gaza, stating, “I am through supporting the actions of the current Israeli government and will advocate – and vote – for an end to any United States support whatsoever until there is a demonstrable change in the direction of Israeli policy.” He added, “My litmus test will be simple: no aid of any kind as long as there are starving children in Gaza due to the action or inaction of the Israeli government.”
Even in light of these policy recommendations, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation argues that it is still hindered in its ability to deliver aid. In recent updates, they noted that organizations “can’t successfully move their aid to Palestinians” and lamented that “they’ve simply stopped trying.”
Jake Wood’s resignation reflects the mounting pressure on organizations operating in conflict zones where aid distribution often intersects with violence. He previously stated, “It is not possible to implement this plan while strictly adhering to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, which I will not abandon.”