The United Nations said Tuesday it has no information confirming whether the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a recently formed U.S.-backed aid group, has delivered any supplies inside Gaza, despite the group’s claims.
The GHF, largely unknown until early May, announced it began distributing truckloads of food in the war-battered enclave on Monday. However, UN officials said they were unaware of any aid distribution by the organization.
“It is a distraction from what is actually needed,” said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), calling instead for the reopening of Gaza’s crossings, a secure environment, and expedited approvals for UN aid stuck at the border.
Juliette Touma, spokeswoman for UNRWA, echoed the concern, saying via video-link from Amman that humanitarian supplies reaching Gaza were still “very, very far” from the daily requirement of 500 to 600 trucks.
Both OCHA and UNRWA confirmed they are not cooperating with GHF, amid accusations the group operates with Israeli coordination but lacks Palestinian involvement.
Israel imposed a total blockade on Gaza on March 2, worsening the already dire humanitarian crisis. While the blockade was recently eased, Touma said no UNRWA aid had entered since then, and Laerke noted the lack of UN monitoring access at the Kerem Shalom crossing.
The UN continues to urge for unhindered humanitarian access and the immediate scaling up of aid into Gaza.
The GHF, largely unknown until early May, announced it began distributing truckloads of food in the war-battered enclave on Monday. However, UN officials said they were unaware of any aid distribution by the organization.
“It is a distraction from what is actually needed,” said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), calling instead for the reopening of Gaza’s crossings, a secure environment, and expedited approvals for UN aid stuck at the border.
Juliette Touma, spokeswoman for UNRWA, echoed the concern, saying via video-link from Amman that humanitarian supplies reaching Gaza were still “very, very far” from the daily requirement of 500 to 600 trucks.
Both OCHA and UNRWA confirmed they are not cooperating with GHF, amid accusations the group operates with Israeli coordination but lacks Palestinian involvement.
Israel imposed a total blockade on Gaza on March 2, worsening the already dire humanitarian crisis. While the blockade was recently eased, Touma said no UNRWA aid had entered since then, and Laerke noted the lack of UN monitoring access at the Kerem Shalom crossing.
The UN continues to urge for unhindered humanitarian access and the immediate scaling up of aid into Gaza.
