JERUSALEM — Israel will not take part in the distribution of humanitarian aid to Gaza, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said Friday morning during remarks outside the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.
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“President Trump wants food distributed in Gaza safely and efficiently,” Huckabee stated, underscoring the urgency of delivering aid to civilians amid the ongoing war. While Israel will be involved in security within the Gaza Strip, it will not be responsible for the delivery of supplies.
“There is a desperate need for humanitarian aid in Gaza, but Hamas is not capable or willing to provide it,” Huckabee said.
The ambassador revealed that several international partners have agreed to a new mechanism for the transfer and distribution of aid. Although he did not name the participating countries or organizations, he said they have committed funding but prefer to remain anonymous for now.
Importantly, Huckabee emphasized that this new aid distribution system is not tied to any military operation and is expected to begin soon.
To ensure safety, private security firms — not national militaries — will manage the protection of workers and oversee food distribution. “Everything will be conducted according to the rules of international humanitarian law, including the rules of engagement that apply to private security contractors,” Huckabee explained.
The announcement comes amid deepening questions over the future of Gaza and who will govern, rebuild, and secure the territory once major hostilities subside.
While the ambassador made clear that Israel would retain a security role in the strip, its exclusion from the aid process marks a shift — one that could have implications for how Washington balances humanitarian priorities with regional political sensitivities.
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