Israel Ready to Resume Gaza Aid Through New Foundation as Expanded Operation Looms

Latest Developments

• New Foundation Poised to Deliver Aid: The newly established, U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) announced on May 14 that it had reached an agreement with Israel to begin delivering aid to Gaza by the end of May. The foundation’s goal is to deliver much-needed aid while bypassing the Iran-backed terrorist organization Hamas. Israel suspended aid deliveries in March after Hamas refused to extend January’s ceasefire and release the remaining hostages in its captivity, emphasizing that the Iran-backed terrorist organization controlled all aid deliveries entering Gaza at the time.
• UN Initially Rejects Aid Mechanism: The GHF stated that, with Israel’s approval, it would be establishing what it calls Safe Distribution Sites (SDSs) — designated locations where Gazans will be able to receive aid packages at scheduled times, reducing the risk of Hamas interference. However, several UN-backed aid organizations operating in Gaza issued a joint statement in early May refusing to cooperate with the GHF-led plan, criticizing the limited number of initial SDSs and the long distances civilians would need to travel to access them. Despite this pushback, the GHF asserted that it was in the “final stages” of securing sufficient support from aid partners to distribute 300 million meals in its first 90 days of operation.
• Targeted Elimination and Heavy Airstrikes: The IDF announced that over 130 terrorist targets in Gaza were struck on May 14 and 15, including “surface-to-surface rocket launchers, terrorist cells, military structures, and operational apartments from which terrorists operated to execute terrorist attacks against IDF troops.” In addition, Israel announced that it had eliminated Hamas terrorist Jasser Hussain Ali Shamieh in Gaza City, who was responsible for transferring “tens of millions of dollars” to Hamas’s military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades. Israel is poised to launch “Operation Gideon’s Chariots” in the coming days, should ongoing hostage negotiations in Qatar fail to yield progress, with the reported goal of establishing control over Gaza and maintaining a military presence in the coastal enclave.

FDD Expert Response

“There is little doubt that Hamas has systematically exploited humanitarian aid to serve its interests. While the establishment of a new mechanism to deliver aid directly to Gazan civilians in need is a welcome development, Hamas and its affiliates will attempt to manipulate or co-opt the system to their advantage. Failing that, Palestinian armed groups may seek to undermine the new framework — either through diplomatic obstruction or direct kinetic action — to preserve their control over aid distribution and maintain leverage over the civilian population.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“It is hard to trust warnings of impending famine in Gaza after more than a year and a half of claims that the sky is falling. The supposed famine never came to be, but that didn’t stop propagandists from trotting out emaciated-looking Palestinian children allegedly suffering from famine. Ultimately, it is Hamas’s seizure of supplies from civilians and its refusal to surrender that is causing the misery in Gaza.” — David May, Research Manager and Senior Research Analyst

“The U.S.-led Gaza Humanitarian Foundation offers hope for Gazans. The aid delivery mechanisms of the past were compromised and exploited by Hamas. This new initiative is a positive step towards building a sustainable way to deliver aid to Gazans in need. If successful, the foundation will get aid to the people who desperately need it while cutting out the terror organization that has parasitically fed off the international assistance that has poured into Gaza since October 7.” — Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network

FDD Background and Analysis

“Israel and U.S. Nearing Implementation of New Aid Delivery System in Gaza,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hamas Operative Described as ‘Journalist’ Eliminated in IDF Strike on Gaza,” FDD Flash Brief

“Large Minority Wants to Leave Gaza as Hamas Popularity Declines, New Poll of Palestinians Finds,” FDD Flash Brief

“‘We’re Increasing the Pressure’: Israel Approves Expanded Gaza Operation, IDF Set to Hold Territory,” FDD Flash Brief