The United Nations Will Not Participate In US-backed Humanitarian Operations In Gaza

JAKARTA - The United Nations (UN) said on Thursday it would not take part in US-backed humanitarian operations in the Gaza Strip, Palestine because it was not implicit, neutral, or independent, while Israel pledged to facilitate the effort without being involved in aid deliveries.

"This special distribution plan is not in accordance with our basic principles, including the principles of imparity, neutrality, independence, and we will not participate in this," said UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq.

In an effort to address several issues, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has asked Israel to expand a number of initial safe aid distribution sites called in southern Gaza to the north within 30 days. The foundation has also asked Israel to allow the United Nations and other parties to resume sending aid now until the facility is ready.

"I don't know the request, maybe when they enter Jerusalem, but I will tell you that we appreciate the United States' efforts," said Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon.

"We will not fund these efforts. We will facilitate it. We will allow it," he said.

"We will not be the party that provides assistance. The assistance will be run by the foundation itself, led by the US," he said.

The US-backed US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation will start working in Gaza in late May based on a strong-criticized aid plan led by UN aid chief Tom Fletcher, described as a "doc for violence and further transfer" of Palestinians in Gaza.

The foundation intends to cooperate with US private security and logistics companies to transport aid to Gaza to be distributed by aid groups, sources familiar with the plan told Reuters.

Separately, speaking to reporters in Antalya, Turkey, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday acknowledged the criticism, saying Washington was open to any alternative plans to provide assistance to civilians "without Hamas being able to steal it."

"We are not immune or insensitive to the suffering of the Gaza people, and I know that there is an opportunity here to provide assistance to them," Foreign Minister Rubio said after speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday.

"There is criticism of the plan. We are open to alternatives if someone has a better plan," he said.

Earlier, the United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs Coordination said on Thursday the United Nations "has solid and principled operational plans to provide humanitarian assistance and life-saving services on a large and immediate scale across the Gaza Strip."

Israel has accused Palestinian militant group Hamas of stealing aid, which the group denies, and has blocked the shipment of all humanitarian aid to Gaza since March 2, demanding Hamas release all remaining hostages.

Israel and the US have urged the United Nations and aid groups to cooperate and work with the foundation.

It is unclear how the foundation will be funded. A State Department spokesman said no US Government funds would be provided to the foundation.

The fact sheet about the foundation, which circulated among the aid community last week, lists former head of the World Food Program of the United Nations which is respected, David Beasley, as a potential advisor. However, a source familiar with the effort said Beasley was not currently involved.