In a rare appearance before the United Nations Security Council on Thursday, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff introduced a bold American-led strategy to restart humanitarian operations in Gaza through a new organization called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
Outlined in a 14-page proposal reviewed by Ynet, the effort is designed to overcome obstacles that have historically weakened international donor confidence and obstructed the delivery of assistance. Witkoff stressed the initiative’s key values of “transparency, independence and security,” underlining its commitment to keeping aid out of the hands of Hamas.
The plan outlines the establishment of four strategically located Secure Distribution Sites across Gaza, each intended to assist approximately 300,000 people. The initial goal is to serve 1.2 million residents, with the potential to scale up to 2 million. These hubs will be civilian-run and managed by independent security teams, completely free of military involvement. Aid packages — including essentials such as food, hygiene supplies, medication, and drinking water — will be provided strictly based on humanitarian need and distributed equitably.
Although the proposal emphasizes neutrality and a nonpartisan approach, the United Nations and several relief organizations have rejected participation. Their refusal comes amid increasing claims that Israel is purposely restricting access to food in Gaza as a form of pressure.
Despite pushback from international bodies, Witkoff remained resolute during the closed-door session at the Security Council, reiterating that a core objective of the project is to block aid from being siphoned off by Hamas. Nonetheless, some delegates strongly objected, warning that excluding the UN from the process could deepen the humanitarian crisis instead of easing it.
According to GHF, each 1,750-calorie aid meal will cost only $1.31, which includes transportation, protective logistics, and delivery. A single family food box, comprising 50 complete meals, will carry a price tag of $65 and will be brought straight to at-risk households.
The foundation is helmed by respected leaders in the aid and finance industries: Nate Mook, who previously led World Central Kitchen; Jake Wood, founder of the disaster-response group Team Rubicon; and David Beasley, former head of the UN World Food Program. Oversight responsibilities will fall to a renowned international auditing firm and a legal team well-versed in humanitarian law.
The report also acknowledges widespread concerns among global stakeholders regarding armed factions hijacking aid, black-market diversion, and the opaque behavior of local leadership. GHF claims its operations will follow the pillars of humanitarian ethics: neutrality, universality, independence, and measurable transparency on the ground.
Though the U.S. is backing the project, the foundation intends to remain completely detached from political or military agendas. While the Israeli military will not be stationed at distribution points, logistical coordination will be maintained to ensure unhindered access for aid convoys. GHF has also extended an invitation to NGOs — both local and global — to use its secure network for delivering relief.
“GHF sets a new standard for humanitarian aid in conflict zones,” the document concludes. “If it can fulfill its promise, it may become a global model for restoring trust in humanitarian assistance in crisis areas worldwide.”
President Donald Trump announced earlier this week that he plans to make a “very important” and “very positive” declaration in the near future, ahead of his upcoming trip to the Middle East. While he didn’t specify the subject, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce later suggested the announcement could be tied to aid distribution efforts in Gaza.
Last month, Trump disclosed that he had urged Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu to allow greater humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip during one of their recent discussions.
“Gaza came up in the conversation, and I said, ‘We need to do right by Gaza. The people there are suffering,’” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One before taking off for the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome.
When questioned about whether he had brought up the idea of reopening crossings for humanitarian purposes, Trump confirmed: “We’re going to take care of it. There is a very serious need for medicine and food, and we’ll make sure it gets there,” he said.
When asked how Netanyahu responded, Trump replied, “Felt good about it”—though it was unclear whether he meant his own assessment or Netanyahu’s reaction.
{Matzav.com}