Washington, May 8, 2025 – The Trump administration is intensifying efforts to implement a new humanitarian aid distribution plan for Gaza, engaging Arab nations, Israel, and pressuring the United Nations and humanitarian groups to cooperate, according to exclusive reports from Israel websites, The Jerusalem Post and The Times of Israel. The initiative, designed to bypass Hamas and address Gaza’s deepening crisis, has sparked skepticism and resistance, with Arab states and aid organizations rejecting key elements of the plan.
Israel’s New Aid Mechanism and U.S. Support
On May 5, 2025, Israel’s security cabinet approved a plan to resume limited humanitarian aid to Gaza after a two-month blockade that halted all food, water, and medicine deliveries. The mechanism, developed with U.S. backing, aims to prevent Hamas from controlling or profiting from aid. It involves establishing IDF-controlled distribution hubs in a humanitarian zone in southern Gaza, between the Philadelphi and Morag corridors, covering roughly 10% of the Strip. Only 60 trucks daily will enter via the Kerem Shalom crossing, with private U.S. security firms, Safe Reach Solutions and UG Solutions, guarding routes and hubs. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a Swiss-registered nonprofit, will manage distribution, aiming to deliver 40-pound food boxes biweekly to vetted Palestinian families.
The U.S. has endorsed the plan, with President Donald Trump stating on May 6, 2025, “We’re going to help the people of Gaza because they are being treated very badly by Hamas.” A State Department spokesperson emphasized “creative solutions” to ensure aid reaches civilians without benefiting terrorists, hinting at an imminent announcement. Trump himself indicated on May 7 that a Gaza-related statement was forthcoming within 24 hours.
U.S. Pressure on Humanitarian Groups and the UN
The Trump administration is exerting significant pressure on international humanitarian organizations, including the World Food Program (WFP), to participate in Israel’s plan. Sources told The Times of Israel that U.S. officials have warned groups like WFP of potential funding cuts if they refuse to cooperate. A meeting this week involving WFP’s executive director Cindy McCain, GHF representatives, and the U.S. contractors underscored these efforts, though WFP has not commented.
The U.S. and Israel are also urging the UN to join the initiative, with Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) holding meetings to present the plan. However, the UN and all major aid groups operating in Gaza issued a joint statement on May 4, 2025, rejecting participation, arguing the plan violates humanitarian principles of independence, impartiality, and neutrality. The UN’s relief chief, Tom Fletcher, reiterated that aid access is a right under international law, calling Israel’s blockade “alarming.” Aid organizations, including World Central Kitchen, criticized the plan as logistically unworkable and risking civilian safety, with only 60 trucks daily deemed insufficient for Gaza’s 2 million people, 90% of whom are displaced and facing famine-like conditions.
Arab States’ Reluctance and Alternative Vision
The Trump administration has approached Arab nations, including Egypt, Jordan, and the UAE, to support or fund the aid plan, but responses have been lukewarm. Two Western diplomats told The Jerusalem Post that talks occurred this week, but no country has committed, with the UAE hesitant due to doubts about the plan’s viability. Discussions also touched on a potential governance mechanism for Gaza, though details remain vague.
Arab states, led by Egypt, have instead rallied behind a $53 billion reconstruction plan, “Gaza 2030,” endorsed at an Arab League summit on March 4, 2025. This proposal rejects displacement, advocating for Palestinian-led governance through a technocratic committee and international peacekeeping forces. Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Jordan’s King Abdullah II have firmly opposed Trump’s earlier suggestion to relocate Gazans, calling it a violation of international law. The plan, backed by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the Palestinian Authority, contrasts sharply with Israel’s vision of permanent control and potential settlements, as voiced by some in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition.
Humanitarian Crisis and Regional Tensions
Gaza’s humanitarian situation is dire, with the UN estimating food stocks may last only weeks. The blockade, imposed after a ceasefire collapsed in March 2025, has displaced thousands and fueled accusations of “collective punishment.” Hamas has rejected Israel’s aid plan, calling it “political blackmail” and insisting on the original ceasefire’s second phase, which includes an Israeli withdrawal.
Israel has begun constructing aid hubs in Rafah, funded domestically but seeking international support. The humanitarian zone is designed to house Gaza’s population, though Israel’s refusal to guarantee return rights for any refugees has deterred Arab cooperation. Far-right Israeli ministers, including Itamar Ben Gvir, have opposed aid entirely, arguing Gaza has “enough food,” a claim contradicted by aid groups.
Outlook and Challenges
The U.S. aims to finalize the aid mechanism before Trump’s Middle East visit from May 13-16, 2025, to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, aligning with Israel’s planned military expansion in Gaza. However, resistance from the UN, aid groups, and Arab states poses significant obstacles. Critics argue the plan’s militarized approach and limited scope—60 trucks versus the 200-300 needed daily—fail to address Gaza’s needs, risking violence at distribution sites.
As the Trump administration navigates these tensions, the gap between Israel’s security-driven plan and the Arab League’s reconstruction vision underscores the challenge of delivering aid without resolving Gaza’s political future. With 52,567 reported deaths since October 2023 and widespread destruction, the international community faces urgent pressure to act before famine and conflict escalate further.
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