Head of US-backed Gaza aid group resigns, saying he will not abandon 'principles'

[Uncle Joe]

Jake Wood’s resignation comes after the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation faced criticism from the UN and other aid groups

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Wood said in the statement: “Two months ago, I was approached about leading GHF’s efforts because of my experience in humanitarian operations. Like many others around the world, I was horrified and heartbroken at the hunger crisis in Gaza and, as a humanitarian leader, I was compelled to do whatever I could to help alleviate the suffering.”

Wood stressed that he was “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”.

But, he said, it had become “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”.

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UN officials have said the foundation’s aid distribution plans would only foment forced relocation of Palestinians and more violence. That plan, which had been set to begin by the end of May, was initiated by Israel and involves private companies – instead of the UN and aid groups who have handled Palestinian aid for decades – transporting aid into Gaza to a limited number of so-called secure distribution sites, which Israel said would be in Gaza’s south.

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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/26/gaza-humanitarian-foundation-aid-group-jake-wood-resigns