Head of controversial US-backed Gaza aid group resigns, citing concerns over independence and impartiality
Source: CNN World
Updated 1:41 AM EDT, Mon May 26, 2025
CNN — The head of a new aid distribution program for Gaza, backed by the US and Israel, has resigned after weeks of controversy, citing concerns over impartiality and urging Israel to allow more aid into the blockaded enclave. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) is meant to run a new, tightly controlled, mechanism for aid deliveries into Gaza, but it has been criticized by the United Nations and others, who warn it risks further displacing Palestinians and endangering civilians.
US military veteran Jake Wood has quit as GHF’s executive director after just a matter of weeks at the organization, publicly launched by the US in early May.
“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,” said Wood in a statement. “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,” he added.
The GHF said in a statement it was “disappointed” by Wood’s resignation, criticizing opponents who they said “have been more focused on tearing this apart than on getting aid in.” And the organization said it will begin deliveries on Monday, with plans to scale up rapidly to feed “the full population in the weeks ahead,” it said on Sunday, adding that its “trucks are loaded and ready to go.”
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/26/middleeast/gaza-humanitarian-foundation-aid-resigns-intl-hnk