The head of a US-backed private humanitarian organisation tasked with distributing aid in Gaza under an Israeli-initiated plan resigned on Sunday. Jake Wood, a former US Marine and the executive director of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) for the past two months, said in a statement that he stepped down because the organisation could not uphold “the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, which I will not abandon.”

The GHF, established in February, has faced significant criticism from the United Nations, whose officials have warned that the foundation’s aid distribution model could exacerbate the forced relocation of Palestinians and fuel further violence. The plan—due to begin by the end of May—was proposed by Israel and involves private companies, rather than the UN or established aid agencies, transporting aid into Gaza. Deliveries would be directed to a limited number of so-called secure distribution sites, reportedly located in the south of the territory.

Agencies.