A new aid distribution system in Gaza has opened its first hubs on Monday, according to the US-backed organisation in charge of the operation.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) is taking over the handling of aid from other international organisations such as the United Nations which has criticised the new body as ineffective.
The US-registered non-profit aims to distribute food, water and hygiene kits to Palestinians via distribution hubs secured by private contractors.
A letter released by the foundation says it aims to serve up to 1.2 million people through aid distribution centres in the Gaza Strip, providing direct assistance through bypassing traditional aid models.
The Gaza Strip has been under a nearly three-month Israeli blockade on food and aid supplies — a measure Israel's allies have publicly questioned.
The foundation said truckloads of food had been delivered to its four local hubs in southern and central Gaza and announced that more trucks with supplies would be delivered on Tuesday.
The flow of aid would increase daily, the group said.
Its operations begin a day after the resignation of its executive director, Jake Wood, who left the position citing concerns over its independence and impartiality.
“I am proud of the work I oversaw, including developing a pragmatic plan that could feed hungry people, address security concerns about diversion, and complement the work of longstanding NGOs in Gaza,” Wood said in a statement.
“However, it is clear that it is not possible to implement this plan while also strictly adhering to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, which I will not abandon,” he added.
The GHF said it was "disappointed" by Wood's resignation.
Meanwhile, the organisation has warned against Hamas, which it said was "more focused on tearing this apart" than allowing aid to flow into the Gaza Strip.
The GHF said Monday that Hamas was making "death threats" towards aid groups supporting the mission at its distribution sites.
The foundation has released images said to have been taken in the southern city of Rafah showing people carrying boxes.
Israel and the US have backed the foundation, with both countries saying it was designed to prevent Hamas from stealing critically needed aid from civilians.
Aid groups such as the UN have pushed back against the organisation, saying it would fail to meet local needs and affect the displacement of Palestinians, and violates humanitarian principles that prevent a warring party from overseeing humanitarian aid control.
Israel has argued it is not directly involved in the distribution of aid but would provide security and support for the plan.
It's not clear who is funding the initiative, which is comprised of former humanitarian, government and military officials. Its distribution points are guarded by private security firms, the GHF said.
