The United States intends to lead aid efforts in Gaza

The United States plans to spearhead aid efforts in the Gaza Strip following the war between Israel and the Palestinian extremist group Hamas. 

In this regard, the United States announced that a new foundation will soon announce its plans to aid Gaza, bypassing the United Nations, as the two-month blockade imposed by Israel causes severe shortages in the war-torn territory. 

Criticism has been levelled by human rights groups at Washington’s intended creation of a new foundation outside the realm of UN aid agencies. 

US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said the foundation was non-governmental and would make an announcement “shortly,” without offering further details. 

“We welcome moves to quickly get urgent food aid into Gaza … in a way that the food aid actually gets to those to whom it’s intended,” Bruce told reporters. 

“It cannot fall into the hands of terrorists such as Hamas.” 

Israel has imposed a blockade for two months on Gaza, leading UN agencies and other humanitarian groups to warn of dwindling supplies of everything from fuel to medicine to the territory of 2.4 million Palestinians. 

Israel denies an humanitarian crisis is unfolding and has vowed to ramp up pressure further on Hamas. The Israeli military has already levelled most of the territory’s buildings following militants’ unprecedented October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. 

Israel has long criticised involvement of the United Nations, seeing it as biased, and has banned work of the UN agency that supports Palestinian refugees. 

Asked about the lack of a role for the United Nations, whose efforts have been impeded by Israel, Bruce said: “Endless press releases and Hamas appeasement have not delivered food, medicine or shelter to those who need it.” 

US President Donald Trump has teased a major announcement before he heads on a tour next week of Gulf Arab monarchies. 

Little is known for certain about the foundation, but a listing in Switzerland showed the establishment in February of the “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.” 

Swiss newspaper Le Temps reported that the foundation was looking to hire “mercenaries” to work in the distribution of aid. 

Amnesty International’s Swiss chapter voiced alarm, saying in a statement: “A foundation contributing to Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian territory would be in violation of international law and fail to meet its responsibility to respect human rights.” 

Israeli officials in recent days have spoken of a broader assault in Gaza, whose population has been almost entirely displaced by the military offensive. 

Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the territory will be “entirely destroyed.” 

European governments, UN experts and China have voiced alarm over the Israeli plans. The Trump administration has held back on criticism and blamed Hamas for the situation. 

Trump since taking office has stopped the vast majority of US international assistance.