Trending 
Jake Wood, the head of a controversial US-backed organisation tasked with delivering aid to Gaza, has abruptly stepped down, raising fresh doubts about the initiative’s future.
Wood, Executive Director of the Geneva-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), announced his resignation on Sunday.
In a statement released on Sunday, May 25, he said he could no longer continue in the role, as it had become clear the group could not carry out its mission without compromising core humanitarian values.
The foundation, which began operations in February, had pledged to provide around 300 million meals in its first three months.
However, major aid agencies and the United Nations have distanced themselves from the organisation, citing concerns over its cooperation with Israel.
The GHF was created as international pressure mounted on Israel amid growing alarm over dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, which has endured relentless Israeli military operations since Hamas launched an attack on October 7, 2023.
Gaza was under a full blockade for more than two months, which has only recently started to ease, with warnings from aid groups of worsening famine risks.
“Two months ago, I was asked to lead the GHF’s efforts because of my background in humanitarian missions,” Wood said in his statement. “Like many around the world, I was deeply moved by the hunger crisis in Gaza and felt a duty to help.”
He added that while he was proud of having developed a realistic plan to distribute aid while accounting for security and cooperation with established NGOs, the effort could not continue without violating key principles such as neutrality, impartiality, independence, and humanitarian values he refused to compromise.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 3,785 people have died in the territory since Israel broke the most recent ceasefire on March 18, bringing the total death toll in the war to 53,939 — the majority of them civilians.
Wood urged Israeli authorities to allow greater humanitarian access into Gaza via all possible channels and called on the global community to support creative, impartial strategies for delivering aid without delay or interference.
