Abu Dhabi, May 10, 2025
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has turned down a request from Israel to give money for a new plan to send aid into Gaza. The plan, which is led by a group called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), has not started fully yet. Israel hoped that UAE support would help bring in more support from other countries and organizations.
The UAE said it would not support the plan because it does not do enough to solve the serious humanitarian crisis in Gaza. However, a UAE official said the country might change its decision if the plan is improved.
The GHF wants to give aid to Gaza in a way that avoids it being taken by Hamas. A memo from GHF says it will help only about 60% of Gaza’s population (1.2 million people) in the beginning, even though about 2 million people live there. The plan includes four aid centers, called Secure Distribution Sites (SDS), which may expand later.
Many international organizations, including the UN, say the plan is not good enough. They said it “weaponizes” aid and that they will not support it. A Western diplomat said the plan was supposed to launch this week, but delays are happening because of weak international support.
American officials, including US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, are pushing the plan. At a press event, Huckabee gave few details but asked other countries to join the effort. Sources say the Trump administration is pressuring aid groups to support the plan, warning them that they may lose US funding if they don’t cooperate.
The memo also says the SDSs will give out aid in boxes, each holding 50 meals, hygiene kits, and medical supplies. Special security companies from the US will protect the aid. Israeli soldiers won’t be at the aid centers, but they will guard the area from outside.
Some aid workers are worried that people in Gaza, who are very hungry, will rush the centers when they open. They also said the planned number of aid trucks — just 60 per day — is insufficient.
Israel hopes that some countries might accept Palestinians to help reduce the pressure, but so far, no country has agreed. Israel says the aid must restart soon, as people in Gaza are close to starving.
The US and Israel are in talks with former World Food Program head David Beasley to lead the GHF, but he has not agreed. He wants urgent aid delivery to begin before accepting the position.
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