Humanitarian organizations are expressing deep concern over the Trump administration’s efforts to persuade them to accept an Israeli proposal for limited humanitarian aid to the war-torn Gaza under strict conditions. The proposal, which would deliver aid through a newly established Gaza Humanitarian Foundation based in Geneva, has stipulations including aid collection at four “hubs” under the surveillance of private U.S. security contractors using facial recognition technology for vetting.
The measures are intended to prevent aid diversion to Hamas, but some assistance organizations have not seen any evidence of such practices and fear this plan breaches fundamental humanitarian principles and international law. Concerns also include potential complicity in war crimes given the forced relocation, starvation, and internment of Gazans that these conditions may enable. Despite dwindling supplies and an inability to continue providing food to the population, organizations are hesitant to participate due to the coercive tactics involved, including threats to slash funding.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans to move Gazans “for their own protection” as part of a new military strategy to concentrate the population in the south of the strip. This approach has drawn opposition from organizations, which argue that centralizing, privatizing, and militarizing aid delivery will exclude those in need from receiving humanitarian assistance.
The Trump administration is urging humanitarian organizations to accept Israel’s terms, with officials reportedly meeting with the UN and aid groups this week, threatening budget cuts if they refuse. The U.S. has previously suggested taking ownership of Gaza and transforming it into a “Riviera,” relocating its population to other countries, underlining a policy aimed at “protecting Israel, leaving Hamas empty-handed, and helping Gazans.”
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/09/gaza-israeli-aid-plan
