By Michelle Nichols and Daphne Psaledakis UNITED NATIONS/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A U.S.-backed humanitarian organization will start work in Gaza by the end of May under a heavily-criticized aid distribution plan,

A controversial new American-backed organization, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), has announced it will begin delivering aid to the besieged territory within two weeks and says it has Israel’s approval.

A group of American security contractors, ex-military officers and humanitarian aid officials is proposing to take over the distribution of food and other supplies in Gaza based on plans similar to ones designed by Israel.