Controversial US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Terminates Relief Activities

The controversial, United States and Israel-funded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) declares it is winding down its aid operations in the affected area, following nearly half a year.

The organisation had already suspended its multiple aid distribution centers in Gaza subsequent to the truce agreement between Hamas and Israel took effect recently.

The foundation sought to circumvent United Nations channels as the chief distributor of humanitarian assistance to Gazans.

United Nations organizations and other humanitarian groups refused to co-operate with its system, stating it was questionable and hazardous.

Numerous Gazans were killed while attempting to obtain sustenance amid chaotic scenes near the organization's distribution points, primarily from Israeli forces, based on UN documentation.

Israel said its soldiers fired warning shots.

Operation Conclusion

The GHF said on the beginning of the week that it was concluding activities now because of the "satisfactory fulfillment of its emergency mission", with a aggregate of 3 million parcels containing the amounting to in excess of 187 million sustenance units provided to residents.

The GHF's executive director, the executive director, further mentioned the United States-operated coordination body - which has been established to help execute the United States' Palestinian peace proposal - would be "taking over and developing the approach the organization demonstrated".

"The foundation's approach, in which militant groups were prevented from misappropriating relief supplies, was significantly influential in getting Hamas to the table and securing a halt in hostilities."

Comments and Positions

Hamas - which denies stealing aid - supported the shutdown of the aid organization, as indicated by media.

A representative of declared the organization should be made responsible for the harm it caused to Gazans.

"We urge all global human rights groups to make certain that consequences are faced after causing the death and injury of thousands of Gazans and covering up the food deprivation strategy implemented by the Israeli government."

Foundation History

The organization commenced activities in Gaza on 26 May, a week after Israeli authorities had somewhat relaxed a comprehensive closure on relief and commercial goods to Gaza that continued for 77 days and caused severe shortages of vital resources.

Subsequently, a food crisis was announced in the Palestinian urban center.

The GHF's food distribution sites in various parts of the Palestinian territory were operated by United States-based protection companies and located inside areas controlled by Israeli forces.

Relief Agency Issues

International organizations and their affiliates claimed the system breached the fundamental humanitarian principles of non-partisanship, even-handedness and self-determination, and that guiding distressed residents into military-controlled areas was inherently unsafe.

The UN's human rights office said it recorded the fatalities of no fewer than 859 Gazans seeking food in the proximity to foundation locations between late May through end of July.

Another 514 people were fatally wounded around the routes of UN and other aid convoys, it added.

The majority of these individuals were lost their lives due to the Israeli military, as per the organization's documentation.

Contrasting Reports

Israel's armed services claimed its troops had discharged cautionary rounds at individuals who came near them in a "intimidating" fashion.

The foundation stated there were no shootings at the distribution centers and accused the UN of using "false and misleading" statistics from Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.

Ongoing Situation

The organization's continuation had been unclear since Hamas and Israel agreed a halt in hostilities arrangement to implement the primary segment of the American administration's peace initiative.

The agreement stated humanitarian assistance would take place "free from intervention from the two parties through the United Nations and its agencies, and the humanitarian medical organization, in addition to other worldwide bodies not associated in any manner" with Palestinian factions and Israeli authorities.

UN spokesperson the international body's communicator declared this week that the foundation's closure would have "zero effect" on its activities "since we never collaborated with them".

He also said that while more aid was getting into Gaza since the halt in hostilities began on early October, it was "not enough to address all necessities" of the over two million inhabitants.