New U.S.-Backed Aid System Launched in Gaza: What You Need to Know

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — A new aid distribution system has started in Gaza, aiming to provide food to those facing hunger due to a lengthy blockade by Israel. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation announced that it began delivering supplies on Monday, despite objections from the United Nations. This launch coincided with Israeli airstrikes that reportedly killed at least 52 people.

Though the organization claimed to have delivered meals, details regarding the distribution hubs and how recipients were chosen remain unclear. They promised that aid would increase daily, but skepticism persists about the effectiveness of this new system.

The UN and other aid groups have expressed concerns, alleging that Israel is trying to manipulate food supplies as a weapon against Palestinians. They argue that the new distribution strategy is unlikely to meet the urgent needs of Gaza’s residents.

Israel supports this new approach to prevent Hamas, the governing entity in Gaza, from taking aid supplies. However, the UN disputes claims that Hamas has significantly diverted aid.

Just as the new system was announced, the foundation’s executive director, Jake Wood, resigned. He stated that the organization’s independence was compromised. An interim director, John Acree, has since been appointed, although the foundation’s funding sources remain unclear.

The aid organization consists of former humanitarian workers and government officials. They intend to secure distribution points with private security, aiming to reach one million Palestinians—about half of Gaza’s total population—by the week’s end. Despite this ambitious target, experts warn that the scale of need far exceeds any possible supply.

Last week, Israel resumed limited humanitarian aid into Gaza after nearly three months of stringent blockades, but aid groups emphasize that what has arrived is still vastly insufficient to prevent a humanitarian crisis. Warnings of famine grow louder among social media platforms and mainstream news, driving public outcry and discussions about the dire situation in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Hamas has cautioned residents against engaging with the new aid system, claiming it serves ulterior motives.

Airstrikes and Casualties

Recent airstrikes have resulted in significant civilian casualties, including devastating hits on schools that have been transformed into shelters. Reports indicate that 36 people died when a school was struck while families slept, igniting fires and leading to tragic losses, including a father and his five children.

Since Israel resumed military actions against Hamas in March, the toll has been staggering. Recent estimates suggest that around 54,000 Palestinians have died, with many being women and children. This toll is reflective of a war that has affected countless lives in complex ways.

Israel claims to be targeting militant operations and insists that civilian deaths are a consequence of Hamas’s tactics, as they operate within residential areas.

Protests in Jerusalem

Amid the ongoing turmoil, ultranationalist Israelis held a provocative procession in East Jerusalem, marking Israel’s 1967 conquest. Tensions escalated as some protesters shouted inflammatory slogans and confronted Palestinian residents. Earlier in the day, a group—including an Israeli lawmaker—forced their way into a UN compound, disrupting an already tense atmosphere.

The situation remains fluid, with humanitarian efforts under scrutiny and ongoing military actions complicating the landscape. Popular opinion on social media is increasingly vocal about the humanitarian crises unfolding, urging more attention and action from the global community.

For more information on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, see the coverage by the [Associated Press](https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war).

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Israel, Gaza Strip, General news, Israel government, Middle East, Humanitarian crises, 2024-2025 Mideast Wars, Hamas, Israel-Hamas war, United Nations, Foreign aid, International agreements, War and unrest, AP Top News, World news, Jake Wood, Espionage, Palestinian territories government, John Acree, Religion, Blockades, Political refugees, Famine