Debated US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Ends Humanitarian Work

The controversial, US and Israel-backed GHF aid organization announces it is terminating its humanitarian work in the Palestinian territory, following nearly half a year.

The foundation had previously halted its three food distribution sites in Gaza following the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel came into force in recent weeks.

The organization attempted to avoid UN systems as the chief distributor of relief to Palestinian residents.

United Nations organizations and other humanitarian groups would not collaborate with its approach, stating it was improper and dangerous.

Many residents were fatally wounded while seeking food amid chaotic scenes near the foundation's locations, primarily from Israeli forces, based on UN documentation.

The Israeli military claimed its soldiers fired warning shots.

Mission Completion

The foundation announced on Monday that it was concluding activities now because of the "successful completion of its emergency mission", with a aggregate of 3 million parcels containing the corresponding to over 187 million food portions distributed to Gazans.

The organization's top administrator, the executive director, additionally stated the US-led Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) - which has been created to help carry out the American administration's Gaza initiative - would be "taking over and developing 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."

Feedback and Statements

The militant group - which disputes allegations of misappropriation - welcomed the closure of the humanitarian foundation, as indicated by media.

A representative of said the foundation should be held accountable for the negative impact it created to Gazans.

"We request all global human rights groups to make certain that consequences are faced after leading to casualties and wounds of many residents and concealing the nutritional restriction approach implemented by the Israeli authorities."

Organization Timeline

The organization commenced activities in Gaza on 26 May, a seven days following Israeli authorities had somewhat relaxed a total blockade on relief and commercial goods to Gaza that lasted 11 weeks and caused severe shortages of vital resources.

After 90 days, a nutritional emergency was proclaimed in the Gaza metropolitan area.

The GHF's food distribution sites in southern and central Gaza were operated by American private security firms and located inside areas controlled by Israeli forces.

Relief Agency Issues

The UN and its partners said the system violated the basic relief guidelines of neutrality, impartiality and independence, and that guiding distressed residents into militarised zones was intrinsically hazardous.

The UN's human rights office reported it tracked the killing of at least 859 Palestinians attempting to obtain nourishment in the area surrounding organization centers between late May through end of July.

A further 514 persons were killed near the routes of UN and other aid convoys, it further stated.

Most of them were killed by the Israel's armed forces, based on the agency's reports.

Conflicting Accounts

The Israeli military said its soldiers had released alerting fire at persons who advanced toward them in a "intimidating" way.

The GHF said there were no shootings at the aid sites and claimed the international organization of using "untrue and confusing" statistics from the Palestinian health authority administered by Hamas.

Future Implications

The GHF's future had been uncertain since Hamas and Israel agreed a truce agreement to carry out the initial stage of the United States' reconciliation proposal.

The arrangement specified humanitarian assistance would take place "free from intervention from the two parties through the UN organizations and their partners, and the international relief society, in addition to other global organizations not connected in any way" with Palestinian factions and Israeli authorities.

United Nations representative the international body's communicator said on Monday that the GHF's shutdown would have "no influence" on its activities "because we never worked with them".

The spokesperson additionally stated that while increased relief was entering the region since the truce was implemented on 10 October, it was "inadequate to address all necessities" of the 2.1 million population.