Disputed United States-funded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Terminates Humanitarian Work

The debated, US and Israel-backed GHF aid organization declares it is concluding its humanitarian work in the affected area, after almost six months.

The foundation had previously halted its several relief locations in Gaza after the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took effect recently.

The foundation sought to avoid UN systems as the main supplier of humanitarian assistance to Gazans.

International relief agencies refused to co-operate with its system, stating it was questionable and hazardous.

Numerous Gazans were fatally wounded while trying to acquire nourishment amid turbulent circumstances near the organization's distribution points, mostly by Israeli fire, according to the UN.

Israeli authorities stated its troops fired cautionary rounds.

Program Termination

The GHF said on Monday that it was terminating work now because of the "effective conclusion of its humanitarian effort", with a total of three million packages containing the corresponding to over 187 million food portions provided to residents.

The GHF's executive director, Jon Acree, also said the United States-operated coordination body - which has been set up to help implement the American administration's Gaza initiative - would be "adopting and expanding the model GHF piloted".

"The foundation's approach, in which Hamas could no longer loot and profit from stealing aid, had major impact in getting Hamas to the table and achieving a ceasefire."

Comments and Positions

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

A representative of said the organization should be made responsible for the damage it inflicted to local residents.

"We call upon all global human rights groups to ensure that it does not escape accountability after causing the death and injury of numerous Palestinians and concealing the starvation policy practised by the Israel's administration."

Organization Timeline

The foundation started work in Gaza on 26 May, a week after Israeli authorities had somewhat relaxed a complete restriction on relief and commercial goods to Gaza that lasted 11 weeks and resulted in critical deficits of essential supplies.

Three months later, a famine was declared in Gaza City.

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

Humanitarian Concerns

United Nations agencies and their collaborators said the methodology violated the fundamental humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence, and that guiding distressed residents into armed forces regions was inherently unsafe.

The UN's human rights office reported it tracked the fatalities of no fewer than 859 Gazans trying to acquire sustenance in the proximity to foundation locations between spring and summer months.

Another 514 people were lost their lives close to the courses followed by international humanitarian deliveries, it also mentioned.

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

Divergent Narratives

The Israeli military said its forces had discharged cautionary rounds at individuals who came near them in a "intimidating" manner.

The organization declared there were no shootings at the relief locations and alleged that United Nations of using "inaccurate and deceptive" figures from Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.

Future Implications

The organization's continuation had been uncertain since Palestinian factions and Israeli authorities consented a halt in hostilities arrangement to implement the initial stage of the United States' reconciliation proposal.

The agreement stated humanitarian assistance would take place "free from intervention from the both sides through the international bodies and their affiliates, and the Red Crescent, in addition to other international institutions not connected in any way" with Hamas and Israel.

International organization official the international body's communicator said on Monday that the GHF's shutdown would have "no impact" on its activities "because we never worked with them".

He also said that while more aid was getting into Gaza since the truce was implemented on early October, it was "inadequate to address all necessities" of the over two million inhabitants.