Aid organisations named in a letter from a newly formed foundation bidding to deliver food aid in Gaza have sought to distance themselves from its controversial plan, which is expected to launch this week.
The letter, dated 22 May and obtained by Middle East Eye, was sent by Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) executive director Jake Wood to Cogat, the Israeli military unit overseeing aid logistics in Gaza.
In the letter, Wood thanks Cogat for its "constructive engagement" and starts by clarifying that Israel and GHF have agreed that non-food humanitarian aid - such as medical supplies, hygiene items and shelter materials - would be permitted to enter the enclave under the existing UN-led system.
Wood then indicates that food aid will continue to be distributed in parallel to GHF by “qualified humanitarian agencies” until his organisation scales up its capacity to “no fewer than eight secure distribution sites”.
He notes a recent call he said he convened with the CEOs of Save the Children, International Medical Corps, Catholic Relief Services, Mercy Corps, Care International and Project Hope.
