Israeli officials signal they want UN to remain key Gaza aid channel — WFP deputy head

Israeli officials have signaled they want the United Nations to remain the key avenue for humanitarian deliveries in Gaza, the deputy head of the World Food Program says, noting the work of a controversial US aid group was not discussed.

“They wanted the UN to continue to be the main track for delivery, especially should there be a ceasefire, and they asked us to be ready to scale up,” Carl Skau, deputy executive director of the UN food agency, tells reporters after visiting Gaza and Israel last week.

Israel and the United States have publicly urged the UN to work through the new Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, but the UN has refused, questioning the group’s neutrality and accusing the distribution model of militarizing aid and forcing displacement.

Skau says he met with Israeli authorities at different levels last week and that the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation “did not come up in those conversations.”

“I think there were rumors of the UN being pushed out, but it was very clear in my engagement that they want the UN to continue to be the main track in delivery,” Skau said.

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