Australian tycoon suggests establishing a fresh assistance program for Gaza.
Andrew Forrest, the creator of the philanthropic group Minderoo Foundation, was going to present a plan at a crisis meeting on Gaza happening in Jordan on Tuesday. This meeting was co-hosted by Jordan, Egypt, and the United Nations, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in attendance.
He also dedicated $5 million to improve the Jordanian humanitarian land corridor by making storage facilities to allow more aid to reach Gaza.
Forrest, a wealthy mining magnate and environmentalist, stated in a press release, "I'm aiming to lessen the burden on the Jordanian people, who are presently managing the main avenue for Gaza's aid supplies."
Minderoo's website had a video demonstrating their more grandiose ambition: building SafeGates at three undisclosed locations on the Israel-Gaza border. This could be operational in three weeks if Israel agrees.
In a separate statement, Forrest said they had been collaborating with Israelis and Palestinians on this initiative for the last two months. CNN contacted Israel for their response.
Minderoo's website claimed that the project was the product of consultations with both the Israeli and Palestinian communities.
Forrest's statement added, "The gates will be managed by a third party that has remote control of the facilities, scanning equipment, and can decide when the gates are operational. There is no cost to Israel, and the plan respects their boundaries."
They will involve installing three unmanned access points at undisclosed locations on the Israel-Gaza border to scan trucks carrying aid. In addition, the agency would coordinate with existing networks of people and businesses to distribute aid throughout Gaza.
Thousands of Palestinians have been wounded or killed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) since Hamas militants launched a brutal attack on Israel last October. The attack resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 Israelis and 250 hostages.
Four hostages were released this week, but approximately 116 are thought to still be in Gaza, either alive or dead.
The IDF has claimed that hundreds of trucks loaded with humanitarian supplies have been sent to Gaza since October 7, but aid agencies believe these supplies have not reached civilians who urgently need help.
Israel frequently inspects aid vehicles, causing aid deliveries to grind to a halt and access points to be momentarily closed.
The US has introduced aid to Gaza using airdrops and a floating pier where supplies could be delivered by water from various countries. However, after a week in operation, the floating pier shattered apart in rough waters, causing aid deliveries to temporarily stop. It was reattached and made operable again last Friday.
The Safe Gates concept
A video promoting the SafeGates system shows trucks driving into an automated entrance gate. The vehicles are scanned to detect security concerns before they are permitted to enter a secure area.
Afterward, the driver exits through a gate leading back to Israel, as another gate opens on the Gaza side, permitting a local driver to leave with the truck.
The trucks are scanned again when they reach Gaza. When cleared, the cabin is separated from the trailer so the contents can be unloaded. Finally, the cabin is reattached to the trailer and taken back to Israel.
The intention is to prevent unauthorized access to vehicles, convincing locals that aid deliveries cannot be used as a means for attackers to infiltrate the region.
Aid flow into Gaza has been severely disrupted by Israeli inspections and the temporary closing of entry points.
The US has tried to provide aid to Gaza through airdrops and a floating pier before its destruction a week ago.
International criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza continues to grow, with the United Nations Security Council voting 13-0 (with Russia abstaining) on the approval of a ceasefire plan.
However, Israel has promised to continue their military offensive in Gaza, insisting they would not negotiate "futile" discussions with Hamas.
As the humanitarian crisis worsens, food scarcity has emerged as another issue facing Palestinians currently trapped in the Gaza Strip.
A Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) report published recently stated that "it is likely" that the conditions in Northern Gaza, where famine is most severe, had reached critical levels in April.
FEWS NET, a project financed by the United States Agency for International Development, is known for anticipating food insecurity around the world.
The report failed to confirm a famine in the North due to the dangers of deploying professionals there. But it warned that worsening conditions would prevail if aid wasn't promptly delivered.
"If there isn't a significant change in how food assistance is delivered and distributed in Gaza after entering, the famine could persist through at least July," they said. Provide ways you can contribute immediately, such as donations, volunteering, or advocacy.
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Andrew Forrest mentioned the possibility of extending humanitarian aid to Gaza by establishing SafeGates at undisclosed locations in the Middle East, aiming to reduce Israeli inspections and improve the flow of aid. The Minderoo Foundation has been working on this initiative with both Israeli and Palestinian communities for the past two months.
The US, along with other nations, has faced challenges in delivering aid to Gaza due to extensive security checks and inspections, causing delays and disruptions to humanitarian aid. The Middle East, with its ongoing conflicts and complex political landscape, remains a critical region that requires continued international support and attention to ensure the well-being of its people.
