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U.S.-Backed Foundation Begins Food Distribution in Gaza
(AP) Sam Mednick - The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S.-backed group approved by Israel, has started operations to distribute food in Gaza. Currently four hubs have been set up, all close to Israeli military positions, where people must go to pick up the food packages. GHF has said it will eventually be able to meet the needs of 2 million people. It said it will create more hubs within 30 days, including in northern Gaza. GHF said it moved trucks of food to its hubs on Monday and began distribution. It said the flow of supplies would be "increasing each day" and that it plans to reach more than 1 million Palestinians by the end of the week. GHF is run by a group of American security contractors, ex-military officers and humanitarian aid officials. To deter criminal gangs or militants from redirecting aid, private subcontractors will transport supplies in armored vehicles from the Gaza border to the hubs, where they will also provide security. The GHF said that until at least eight hubs are operating, the existing UN-led system will continue providing food in parallel. Moreover, the UN system would continue to distribute all non-food humanitarian aid - from medical supplies to hygiene items and shelter materials.