US mulls overhaul of Gaza humanitarian efforts

The United States is considering a proposal for humanitarian aid delivery in Gaza that would replace the controversial US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), according to a copy of the plan seen by Reuters.

It is one of several concepts being explored, said two US officials and a humanitarian official familiar with the plan, as Washington seeks to facilitate increased deliveries of assistance to the Palestinian enclave after two years of war.

“Multiple approaches are being considered to effectively get aid to the people of Gaza - nothing is finalized,” said a senior US administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been in place for 13 days. Under that deal some more aid is now entering Gaza, where a global hunger monitor warned in August that famine had taken hold.

The “operational backbone” of the proposal seen by Reuters would be a so-called “Gaza Humanitarian Belt” - 12-16 humanitarian hubs positioned along the line to which Israeli forces have withdrawn within Gaza. Those hubs would serve people on both sides of the line.

The hubs would also include “voluntary reconciliation facilities” for militants to give up their weapons and receive amnesty, and forward operating bases for future forces with the planned international stabilization force to help demilitarise Gaza.

“The UN and NGOs in Gaza will be mandated to use the platform run by the CMCC and will provide the goods distributed from the hubs,” according to the proposal, which also says the aim would be for all aid in Gaza to be delivered via the hubs within 90 days.

“CMCC will monitor and enforce security of convoys through drone monitoring, ensuring Hamas does not interdict trucks,” it says. Israel and the US have accused Hamas of stealing aid, which the militant group denies.

The United Nations and international aid groups are likely to be wary of the plan that in part resembles the GHF method of using secure distribution hubs and armed escorts to transport aid.

Before the ceasefire, Israel and the US wanted the UN to work through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, but the UN and aid groups refused, questioning the neutrality of the GHF and accusing the distribution model of militarising aid and forcing displacement.

Reuters