New aerial images show early signs of aid centers being built in Gaza, just north of Rafah. These areas, carved out of the desert, are near the Mawasi humanitarian zone and could be the start of a new aid distribution system. The goal is to help civilians affected by ongoing conflict and displacement across the Gaza Strip.
Reports suggest these new sites may serve up to 60% of Gaza’s population. That means each location could support around 300,000 people. Family members will likely be chosen to collect food and supplies, which may lead to up to 30,000 visitors per site every few days. The logistics behind this plan are complex and raise concerns about safety, crowd control, and efficiency.
The aid effort is backed by the United States. However, it has already encountered some problems. The initiative was expected to start operations in late May, but leadership changes and organizational confusion have caused delays. A key part of the project was the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), originally registered in Geneva, Switzerland. On May 25, it was reported that the GHF was shutting down due to rising media attention and possible legal questions. Just a day later, on May 26, Jake Wood, who led the foundation, resigned from his position.
As a result, a U.S.-based entity will now take full control of aid operations. Organizing aid for over a million people in a war zone is not easy, and there are doubts about whether the involved teams have the needed experience. Still, private security contractors have already arrived in Israel to help protect the aid zones. They are expected to be paid well, reflecting the dangerous conditions and large-scale nature of the work.
Earlier this month, Israel’s Security Cabinet approved a large offensive in Gaza. Part of the plan was to move civilians to southern Gaza while delivering aid safely. This is meant to ensure that humanitarian supplies are not intercepted by militant groups. U.S. officials have stated their full support for the new system, which is designed to deliver food, water, and medical care directly to those who need it most.
World Central Kitchen (WCK), a well-known humanitarian group, was seen last year delivering food into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom border. Although it is not confirmed whether they are part of this latest effort, their past involvement highlights the importance of trusted partners on the ground. Other aid groups may also be preparing to join the distribution once the new sites are fully operational.
So far, little is known about how the aid centers will function day to day. Will there be enough supplies for each family? Will all areas of Gaza have equal access? These are questions that remain unanswered. The project is still in its early stages and will require strong leadership, coordination, and international support to be successful.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen as conflict forces thousands of people from their homes. Food and clean water are in short supply, and many hospitals are running low on medicine and fuel. In this environment, the success or failure of the new aid centers could have a major impact on the well-being of hundreds of thousands of people.
As construction continues and new leadership takes over, the world is watching closely. The task ahead is massive, but the need is urgent. If the effort succeeds, it could become a new model for large-scale humanitarian support in conflict zones. If it fails, more suffering may follow.
