Israel
Head of Israel-backed Gaza aid firm resigns over ‘humanitarian principles’
Jake Wood’s decision came as the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation opens its first distribution point in the Strip
May 26, 2025 09:06
Jake Wood’s decision came as the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation opens its first distribution point in the Strip
May 26, 2025 09:06The executive director of the firm tasked with delivering aid in Gaza as part of an Israeli-backed plan has resigned on the same day the first distribution points will open.
Jake Wood, the now former head of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has stepped down, citing his “humanitarian principles”.
Announcing his decision, Wood said: “I am proud of the work I oversaw, including developing a pragmatic plan that could feed hungry people, address security concerns about diversion, and complement the work of longstanding NGOs in Gaza.
"However, it is clear that it is not possible to implement this plan while also strictly adhering to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, which I will not abandon.”
The move represents a significant blow to Israel’s aid plan, especially as it echoes claims from the UN and other aid organisations about its adherence to humanitarian law – claims which Jerusalem has largely dismissed.
The scheme will see the IDF take control of most of Gaza and relocate most of the population into “humanitarian zones” in the southern part of the Strip.
This will allow Israeli forces to filter the civilian population into the areas where they can receive aid, while keeping Hamas fighters in the north –both isolating the terror group and preventing it from hijacking aid convoys.
Despite Wood’s resignation, it appears that the plan will go ahead as the GHF subsequently confirmed it will open its first distribution point in the Strip.
Further aid centres are expected to open by the end of the week.
In a statement, the GHF board said: “We were disappointed to learn of Jake Wood’s sudden resignation as Executive Director of GHF.
"He has been a passionate advocate for the need to safely deliver humanitarian assistance to Gazans without diversion or delay, and achieved real progress for the entire humanitarian community in the short time he was involved in this effort. The fact that aid is beginning to trickle back into Gaza is a testament to his work.
"Unfortunately, from the moment GHF was announced, those who benefit from the status quo have been more focused on tearing this apart than on getting aid in, afraid that new, creative solutions to intractable problems might actually succeed.
"We will not be deterred. Our trucks are loaded and ready to go. Beginning Monday, May 26, GHF will begin direct aid delivery in Gaza, reaching over one million Palestinians by the end of the week. We plan to scale rapidly to serve the full population in the weeks ahead.”
The foundation has previously estimated that it will distribute 300 million meals within 90 days, but UN aid agencies have already said they will not cooperate with the firm due to humanitarian concerns over the plan.
The news follows the end of a two-month long Israeli aid blockade, which saw the UK, EU and US warn about the prospect of starvation.
Israel has insisted that there was enough aid already in Gaza to keep the population fed throughout the blockade and claimed that any shortages are the result of Hamas theft.