Debated US-backed Gaza Relief Group Concludes Humanitarian Work
The controversial, United States and Israel-funded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) announces it is terminating its humanitarian work in the Gaza region, after almost six months.
The organisation had previously halted its three food distribution sites in Gaza subsequent to the halt in hostilities between Palestinian factions and Israel took effect recently.
The organization attempted to bypass the UN as the main supplier of relief to Palestinian residents.
International relief agencies refused to co-operate with its approach, claiming it was unethical and unsafe.
Hundreds of Palestinians were fatally wounded while seeking food amid chaotic scenes near GHF's sites, mainly through Israeli military action, as reported by United Nations.
Israel said its troops fired alerting fire.
Operation Conclusion
The GHF said on the beginning of the week that it was winding down operations now because of the "successful completion of its crisis response", with a cumulative three million shipments containing the equivalent of more than 187 million meals distributed to Gazans.
The organization's top administrator, the executive director, further mentioned the American-directed Civil-Military Coordination Center - which has been established to help carry out US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan - would be "taking over and developing the system the foundation tested".
"The organization's system, in which militant groups were prevented from misappropriating relief supplies, was significantly influential in getting Hamas to the table and achieving a ceasefire."
Feedback and Statements
The militant group - which disputes allegations of misappropriation - supported the shutdown of the aid organization, according to reports.
A spokesman for stated the foundation should be held accountable for the harm it caused to Palestinians.
"We urge all international human rights organisations to ensure that it does not escape accountability after leading to casualties and wounds of thousands of Gazans and obscuring the starvation policy implemented by the Israeli authorities."
Foundation History
The GHF began operations in Gaza on 26 May, a week after the Israeli government had moderately reduced a total blockade on humanitarian and trade shipments to Gaza that continued for 77 days and led to substantial deficiencies of essential supplies.
Subsequently, a famine was declared in Gaza City.
The foundation's nourishment distribution centers in southern and central Gaza were operated by US private security contractors and located inside regions under Israeli military authority.
Humanitarian Concerns
United Nations agencies and their collaborators stated the approach violated the fundamental humanitarian principles of non-partisanship, even-handedness and self-determination, and that channelling desperate people into military-controlled areas was fundamentally dangerous.
United Nations human rights division stated it documented the killing of at least 859 Palestinians attempting to obtain nourishment in the vicinity of GHF sites between 26 May and 31 July.
A further 514 persons were killed near the routes of UN and other aid convoys, it added.
The greater part of these people were lost their lives due to the Israeli forces, as per the organization's documentation.
Divergent Narratives
The Israeli military said its soldiers had discharged cautionary rounds at individuals who came near them in a "intimidating" manner.
The organization declared there were no shooting events at the distribution centers and accused the UN of using "false and misleading" figures from the Gazan medical department controlled by militant factions.
Future Implications
The GHF's future had been indefinite since militant groups and the Israeli government approved a truce agreement to carry out the initial stage of the United States' reconciliation proposal.
It said aid distribution would take place "free from intervention from the two parties through the United Nations and its agencies, and the Red Crescent, in combination with other global organizations not connected in any way" with militant groups and the Israeli government.
UN spokesperson the UN spokesman stated recently that the organization's termination would have "no impact" on its work "because we never worked with them".
He also said that while increased relief was entering the region since the ceasefire took effect on early October, it was "insufficient to satisfy all requirements" of the over two million inhabitants.