Controversial Gaza Aid Program Faces Setback as Director Resigns

Jake Wood’s resignation raises concerns over the new aid strategy set to launch in Gaza amid ongoing humanitarian crises.

Jake Wood, the head of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, resigned just hours before the launch of a controversial new aid program in the Gaza Strip, stating that he could not uphold the necessary independence to perform his duties effectively. Wood’s departure comes in the face of mounting skepticism regarding the foundation’s impartiality and its ties to Israeli authorities.

In a statement shared by the organization, Wood emphasized, “It is evident that I cannot implement this plan while remaining steadfast to the humanitarian tenets of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, which I refuse to forsake.” His resignation marks a significant setback for a humanitarian initiative that has already sparked division within the global aid community.

The defense strategy employed by this program has sparked widespread debate, primarily focusing on Israel's attempts to replace the traditional aid infrastructure in Gaza with this new model, which is not yet widely vetted. Alarmingly, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, established only a year ago, has relied heavily on private contractors—raising eyebrows due to its employment of a firm linked to a former CIA operative—to manage the logistics of food distribution in the Israeli-controlled areas of southern Gaza.

Concerns have escalated among various aid organizations about the potential for famine, primarily since Israel imposed a blockade on food and fuel supplies back in March. This blockade just began to loosen as of late May. Proponents of the new plan claim it will allow Palestinians better access to food while curbing the ability of Hamas to exploit these resources for illicit gains. Conversely, critics, including representatives from the United Nations, have cautioned that this initiative may compel civilians to traverse perilous routes through Israeli military encampments in search of sustenance, potentially exacerbating Israel's ongoing strategy to relocate displaced families from northern to southern Gaza.