Washington-supported NGO does not want to replace UN aid but 'complement' it

The new U.S.-backed foundation for distributing aid in the Gaza Strip, starved after weeks of blockade by Israel, assured on Wednesday that it does not wish to replace the U.N. but to "complement" it.

The U.N. has repeatedly stated that it will not participate in the distribution of aid by this newly created Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), arguing that it does not adhere to the principles of "impartiality, neutrality and independence."

In a statement, the foundation, whose headquarters have been registered since February in Geneva, asserted that its work "will complement, not replace, the work of the U.N. and traditional aid organizations." It intends to begin distributing aid "in the coming days."

"The success of the GHF plan relies on a close partnership and collaboration with the U.N. and traditional aid organizations," it said.

International pressure is mounting on Israel, accused of allowing into the besieged territory only a portion of aid that is insufficient compared to the immense needs of the population, after more than two months of total blockade of the Palestinian territory, starving and devastated by 19 months of war.

Israel, like the United States, accuses the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas of bearing full responsibility for the situation in Gaza and of diverting humanitarian aid, which was previously delivered by U.N. agencies or well-established NGOs. The U.N. has denied these accusations.

The GHF announced on May 14 that it plans to distribute nearly 300 million meals for an initial period of 90 days.

In its Wednesday statement, it indicated that it will employ "security companies to transport the aid from crossing points to secured distribution sites" and "once on site, the aid will be distributed directly to the population of Gaza by civilian humanitarian teams."

"The [Israeli military] will not have a presence in the immediate vicinity of the distribution sites," it stated.

The foundation claimed it "will restore the logistics, security, and access that traditional aid organizations have lost" and added that "traditional aid groups can use the GHF's new secure delivery mechanisms to distribute their assistance."

"This new model also protects humanitarian workers, who were too often caught in the crossfire, and allows these groups to carry out their work without fear that the aid will be stolen or misused," it indicated.

"Initially, there will be four secured distribution sites: three in the south and one in central Gaza," and "additional sites will be opened next month, including in northern Gaza," it said, refuting accusations from those who believe it will participate in the forced displacements of Gazans.