🔗 Share this article

The debated, US and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) says it is concluding its relief activities in the Palestinian territory, following nearly half a year.

The foundation had earlier paused its several relief locations in Gaza subsequent to the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel was implemented six weeks ago.

The organization attempted to avoid UN systems as the chief distributor of humanitarian assistance to Gazans.

International relief agencies declined to participate with its approach, stating it was questionable and hazardous.

Hundreds of Palestinians were fatally wounded while trying to acquire nourishment amid disorderly situations near GHF's sites, mainly through Israeli military action, according to the UN.

The Israeli military claimed its soldiers fired alerting fire.

Operation Conclusion

The GHF said on the beginning of the week that it was concluding activities now because of the "effective conclusion of its crisis response", with a total of three million packages containing the corresponding to over 187 million food portions delivered to Palestinians.

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

"GHF's model, in which Palestinian factions were unable to divert and benefit from humanitarian assistance, played a huge role in convincing militant groups to participate and achieving a ceasefire."

Feedback and Statements

The militant group - which disputes allegations of misappropriation - welcomed the closure of the GHF, based on information.

An official from declared GHF should be held accountable for the harm it caused to Palestinians.

"We call upon all worldwide humanitarian bodies to make certain that consequences are faced after leading to casualties and wounds of thousands of Gazans and obscuring the food deprivation strategy implemented by the Israeli authorities."

Foundation History

The GHF began operations in Gaza on May 26th, a week after the Israeli government had moderately reduced a comprehensive closure on relief and commercial goods to Gaza that continued for 77 days and caused severe shortages of essential supplies.

Three months later, a food crisis was announced in the Gaza metropolitan area.

The organization's sustenance provision locations in southern and central Gaza were managed by United States-based protection companies and positioned in areas controlled by Israeli forces.

Relief Agency Issues

The UN and its partners stated the approach violated the fundamental humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence, and that directing needy individuals into military-controlled areas was fundamentally dangerous.

International human rights monitoring body stated it documented the fatalities of no fewer than 859 Gazans trying to acquire sustenance in the vicinity of GHF sites between 26 May and 31 July.

Another 514 people were killed near the paths taken by United Nations and additional relief shipments, it added.

The greater part of these people were lost their lives due to the Israel's armed forces, based on the agency's reports.

Conflicting Accounts

The Israeli military claimed its troops had fired warning shots at people who approached them in a "menacing" manner.

The GHF said there were no shooting events at the aid sites and alleged that United Nations of using "inaccurate and deceptive" statistics from Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.

Subsequent Developments

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 American administration's peace initiative.

The arrangement specified aid distribution would take place "without interference from the two parties through the UN organizations and their partners, and the Red Crescent, in conjunction with other global organizations not linked whatsoever" with Hamas and Israel.

International organization official Stephane Dujarric declared this week that the foundation's closure would have "no impact" on its activities "since we never collaborated with them".

The official further mentioned that while increased relief was entering the region since the halt in hostilities began on 10 October, it was "inadequate to satisfy all requirements" of the 2.1 million residents.