5/26/2025–|Last update: 5/26/202503:29 (Mecca time)
The “Times of Israel” newspaper reported the resignation of Jake Wood, CEO of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, “the NGO backed by the United States and Israel.
“It is not possible to implement the aid plan in Gaza with strict adherence to humanitarian principles, neutrality, integrity, and human independence, which I will not give up,” the newspaper quoted a statement by Jake Wood as saying.
Wood urged Israel to expand the scope of assistance to Gaza significantly through all mechanisms, according to the Israeli newspaper. He also urged the parties concerned to continue to explore new and innovative methods to deliver aid to the residents of the Gaza Strip, who are suffering from an unprecedented famine.
Wood says he was contacted to lead the institution two months ago based on his experience in humanitarian operations, and he adds, “Like many around the world, I felt dismay and sadness on the hunger crisis in Gaza, and as a human leader, I felt that it was my duty to do everything I can do to alleviate the suffering,” according to the Israeli newspaper.
According to the “Times of Israel”, Wood’s resignation constitutes a major blow to Israel’s efforts to resume aid in Gaza on its own conditions, and it is still unclear whether the Foundation will be able to proceed with its planned operations.
Fears and criticisms
Two weeks ago, the “Gaza Humanitarian Corporation” announced that it will start this month to distribute humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip, noting that it had conducted talks in this regard with officials in Israel, which has been prohibited since last March, any assistance to the besieged Palestinian sector, amid international concerns and criticism of this process.
It is not much known about this registered organization, its headquarters since February in Geneva, but the United States supported 3 Asians before this institution without revealing whether it contributed directly.
Before the news that he spoke about his resignation today, Jake Wood headed the Foundation, and has the experience of leading the Rubicon team to provide humanitarian relief during natural disasters, a former sniper and ancient warrior in the American Marines who had previously been fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq.