‘Let’s not waste time’ with U.S.-backed Gaza aid plan, says U.N. aid chief

U.S.-backed aid group aims to start work in Gaza by end of May, as Trump highlights starvation concerns.

United Nations aid chief Tom Fletcher said on Friday (May 16, 2025) that time should not be wasted on an alternative U.S.-backed proposal to deliver aid to Gaza, saying the U.N. has a proven plan and 160,000 pallets of relief ready to enter the Palestinian enclave now.

“To those proposing an alternative modality for aid distribution, let’s not waste time. We already have a plan,” he said in a statement as Israel blocked the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza for the 75th day in a row.

U.S. President Donald Trump said earlier on Friday (May 16, 2025) that “a lot of people are starving in Gaza.” A global hunger monitor has warned that half a million people face starvation - about a quarter of the population in the enclave.

Israel has accused the Palestinian militant group Hamas of stealing aid, which the group denies. Under the alternative heavily criticised aid plan, a U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aims to start work in Gaza by the end of May.

The foundation intends to work with private U.S. security and logistics firms to transport aid into Gaza to so-called secure hubs where it will be then distributed by aid groups, a source familiar with the plan has told Reuters. It is unclear how the foundation will be funded.

The U.N. has said it won’t work with the foundation because the distribution plan is not impartial, neutral or independent. Mr. Fletcher on Friday (May 16, 2025) issued a briefing note on the U.N. plan to resume aid deliveries to Gaza, adding that nearly 9,000 trucks are ready to enter the enclave.

“We have the people. We have the distribution networks. We have the trust of the communities on the ground. And we have the aid itself – 160,000 pallets of it – ready to move. Now,” he said. “We demand rapid, safe, and unimpeded aid delivery for civilians in need. Let us work.”