The Media Line: Hostage Deal Talks Include Ban on Controversial Aid Group in Gaza  

Audio By Carbonatix

Enlarge

Hostage Deal Talks Include Ban on Controversial Aid Group in Gaza  

By The Media Line Staff 

Negotiations underway in Qatar over a potential ceasefire between Israel and Hamas include a provision that would bar the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) from operating in parts of Gaza vacated by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), a source familiar with the discussions told The Times of Israel.  

The proposal, which is still being finalized, would assign responsibility for aid distribution in these areas exclusively to the United Nations and other international organizations that are not affiliated with either Israel or Hamas. This clause would apply only in regions where Israeli forces have withdrawn.  

The issue of the IDF’s pullout remains a central sticking point in the talks. Israel has yet to agree to fully withdraw from southern Gaza, where it plans to establish a so-called “humanitarian city” to relocate the territory’s population, estimated at more than 2 million people. Israel intends to vet and confine residents within this zone, prompting criticism over possible long-term displacement.  

The ban on the GHF appears to reflect concerns from multiple sides about the organization’s perceived ties and influence. While the group has received support from some Israeli officials, it has faced international scrutiny and is not viewed as a neutral party by many stakeholders involved in the negotiations.  

Talks in Doha are ongoing, and no final agreement has been reached. Both sides remain far apart on key issues, including the timeline for hostage releases, the extent of military withdrawals, and the future governance of humanitarian operations in Gaza.