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WASHINGTON: The leader of a contentious US-backed organization that is preparing to distribute support to the Gaza Strip announced his abrupt departure on Sunday, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the effort’s viability. Executive director Jake Wood stated in a statement from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation ( GHF ) that he felt forced to leave because he believed the organization could not fulfill its “humanitarian principles” in its first 90 days of operation. However, in response to complaints that the team is working with Israel, the UN and other standard aid organizations have already stated they will not work with the organization. As the world’s attention is being drawn to Israel’s standing in Gaza over the circumstances surrounding the Hamas episodes of October 7, 2023, the GHF has emerged. More than two months of entire blockade on the territory only slowed down in recent days as government agencies issued warnings about growing hunger risks. I was approached about leading GHF’s work two months ago because of my background in philanthropic activities, Wood said. As a humanitarian head, he said,” I was shocked and heartbroken by the suffering in Gaza, and I felt compelled to do whatever I could to help alleviate the suffering.” However, he added that it had become” clear that it is impossible to implement this plan without strictly adhering to the humanitarian rules of humanity, independence, and freedom, which I did not leave.” The death toll from the conflict, which reached 53, 939, mostly residents, was reported by Gaza’s health department on Sunday, claiming at least 3, 785 people had been killed in the area since a stalemate ended on March 18. According to an AFP tally based on official statistics, Hass’s October 2023 assault on Israel, which led to the war, resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, most of them citizens. Additionally, 251 hostages were taken by soldiers, of which 57 are still alive in Gaza, including 34, according to the Jewish defense, who are deceased. In a letter to Israel, Wood urged” all stakeholders to continue to look into creative new ways for the distribution of help, without delay, diversion, or discrimination.”
