The UN Value Of US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Groups Is Only A Transfer Of Attention From What Is Needed

Illustration of aid trucks to Gaza. (Twitter/@PalestinineRCS)

JAKARTA - The work of a US-backed private humanitarian organization tasked with distributing aid in the Gaza Strip, Palestine is a diversion from what is needed, such as the opening of crossing points, a UN spokesman said on Tuesday.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which began as a plan initiated by Israel and has drawn criticism from the United Nations and others said on Monday it began distributing supplies in Gaza.

This follows an 11-week Israeli blockade that has only been partially lifted in recent days, sparking warnings of hunger from global hunger monitors and international criticism.

"We are not participating in this modality for the reasons given. This is a distraction from what is really needed," Jens Laerke, a spokesman for the UN humanitarian office (OCHA) said at a briefing in Geneva, calling for the reopening of all crossings.

Laerke also called for an end to Israeli restrictions on the type of aid allowed into the enclave, which he said was "preferred" and not always as needed.

Israel is tasked with examining all incoming aid to Gaza and regularly rejecting various kinds of items it deems could be used for military purposes by the Hamas militant group.

It said the new system was aimed at separating aid from Hamas, which it accused of stealing and using food to force control of residents, allegations rejected by Hamas, who said they were protecting aid convoys from armed looting gangs.

urut Touma, communications director of the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency, said they had large amounts of medical deliveries that were denied entry to Gaza.

"We have more than 3000 trucks, not only food, but also medicines lining up in places like Jordan, such as Egypt, waiting for the green light to enter, and they are bringing medicines that will expire soon," he said.