🔗 Share this article

The controversial, United States and Israel-funded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) says it is terminating its humanitarian work in the Gaza region, subsequent to approximately 180 days.

The foundation had previously halted its multiple aid distribution centers in Gaza after the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel came into force six weeks ago.

The organization attempted to avoid UN systems as the main supplier of relief to Palestinian residents.

International relief agencies would not collaborate with its system, stating it was questionable and hazardous.

Hundreds of Palestinians were fatally wounded while attempting to obtain sustenance amid chaotic scenes near GHF's sites, mainly through Israeli military action, as reported by United Nations.

The Israeli military claimed its soldiers fired cautionary rounds.

Program Termination

The GHF said on Monday that it was concluding activities now because of the "satisfactory fulfillment of its humanitarian effort", with a cumulative three million shipments containing the equivalent of more than 187 million meals provided to residents.

The organization's top administrator, Jon Acree, also said the American-directed Civil-Military Coordination Center - which has been created to help implement the United States' Palestinian peace proposal - would be "implementing and enlarging the system the foundation tested".

"GHF's model, in which Hamas could no longer loot and profit from stealing aid, had major impact in convincing militant groups to participate and securing a halt in hostilities."

Reactions and Responses

The militant group - which disputes allegations of misappropriation - supported the shutdown of the aid organization, as indicated by media.

A spokesman for stated GHF should be made responsible for the harm it caused to local residents.

"We urge all worldwide humanitarian bodies to make certain that consequences are faced after causing the death and injury of numerous Palestinians and obscuring the food deprivation strategy implemented by the Israel's administration."

Operational Background

The organization commenced activities in Gaza on 26 May, a short period subsequent to the Israeli government had moderately reduced a total blockade on aid and commercial deliveries to Gaza that lasted 11 weeks and led to substantial deficiencies of essential supplies.

Three months later, a nutritional emergency was proclaimed in the Palestinian urban center.

The organization's sustenance provision locations in various parts of the Palestinian territory were administered by United States-based protection companies and positioned in areas controlled by Israeli forces.

Relief Agency Issues

The UN and its partners said the approach violated the basic relief guidelines of non-partisanship, even-handedness and self-determination, and that channelling desperate people into militarised zones was intrinsically hazardous.

The UN's human rights office reported it tracked the killing of at least 859 Palestinians seeking food in the proximity to foundation locations between late May through end of July.

Another 514 people were fatally wounded around the courses followed by international humanitarian deliveries, it added.

Most of them were killed by the Israeli military, according to the office.

Divergent Narratives

Israeli defense forces said its troops had fired warning shots at people who approached them in a "menacing" way.

The organization declared there were no firearm incidents at the relief locations and claimed the international organization of using "untrue and confusing" statistics from the Palestinian health authority administered by Hamas.

Subsequent Developments

The GHF's future had been uncertain since Hamas and Israel agreed a ceasefire deal to execute the primary segment of the United States' reconciliation proposal.

The arrangement specified humanitarian assistance would take place "absent meddling from the two parties through the UN organizations and their partners, and the Red Crescent, in conjunction with other international institutions not connected in any way" with militant groups and the Israeli government.

International organization official the international body's communicator declared this week that the GHF's shutdown would have "no impact" on its work "since we never collaborated with them".

The official further mentioned that while additional assistance was reaching the Palestinian territory since the ceasefire took effect on October 10th, it was "insufficient to meet all the needs" of the 2.1 million population.