UN Rejects US-Backed Gaza Aid Plan Over Neutrali...

UN Rejects US-Backed Gaza Aid Plan Over Neutrality Concerns

Zim Now Writer

The United Nations has declined to participate in a US-backed humanitarian aid initiative for Gaza, citing concerns over neutrality, independence, and impartiality—core principles of UN humanitarian operations.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday,l UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said, “This particular distribution plan does not accord with our basic principles, including those of impartiality, neutrality, and independence, and we will not be participating in this.”

The plan, supported by the United States and set to launch by the end of May, aims to deliver aid through the newly formed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. However, it has faced sharp criticism from humanitarian groups and UN officials, including UN aid chief Tom Fletcher, who called it a “fig leaf for further violence and displacement.

Under the initiative, Israel has pledged to facilitate the foundation’s operations but will not directly distribute aid. Despite that assurance, the UN and many aid organizations remain skeptical about the effort's ability to remain free from political influence.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking from Antalya, Turkiye, acknowledged the concerns but defended the plan’s intent. “We’re not immune or insensitive to the suffering of the people of Gaza,” Rubio said after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “There are criticisms of that plan. We’re open to an alternative if someone has a better one.”

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reiterated that it already has a comprehensive and principled plan in place to deliver humanitarian aid across Gaza.

The rejection comes amid worsening conditions in Gaza, where over 2 million residents are experiencing extreme hardship after more than a year and a half of war. A recent report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification warned of an ongoing risk of famine, with nearly the entire population facing severe food insecurity.

Israel has blocked all humanitarian deliveries to Gaza since March 2, citing concerns that aid is being diverted by Hamas—an accusation the group denies. Israel insists that no aid will resume until Hamas releases all remaining hostages.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has requested Israel to expand secure aid distribution zones from southern to northern Gaza within 30 days. It has also called for the UN and other organizations to resume deliveries until the foundation becomes fully operational.

Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon confirmed Israel’s limited role: “We will not fund those efforts. We will facilitate them. We will enable them. We will not be the ones giving the aid.”

The US and Israel have encouraged the UN and aid groups to cooperate with the foundation, though its future remains uncertain. A US State Department spokesperson said the foundation would not receive American government funding.

A circulated fact sheet named former UN World Food Programme head David Beasley as a potential adviser, but sources say he is currently not involved in the effort.