Controversial US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Concludes Relief Activities
The disputed, American and Israeli-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) says it is terminating its aid operations in the Gaza region, following nearly half a year.
The foundation had already suspended its multiple aid distribution centers in Gaza after the truce agreement between Hamas and Israel took effect in recent weeks.
The GHF aimed to circumvent United Nations channels as the primary provider of relief to Palestinian residents.
United Nations organizations and other humanitarian groups would not collaborate with its methodology, saying it was improper and dangerous.
Many residents were fatally wounded while seeking food amid turbulent circumstances near the organization's distribution points, mainly through Israeli military action, based on UN documentation.
The Israeli military claimed its soldiers fired warning shots.
Operation Conclusion
The organization declared on Monday that it was concluding activities now because of the "satisfactory fulfillment of its humanitarian effort", with a aggregate of 3 million parcels containing the equivalent of more than 187 million meals provided to residents.
The foundation's chief officer, Jon Acree, further mentioned the United States-operated coordination body - which has been created to help implement US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan - would be "taking over and developing the model GHF piloted".
"GHF's model, in which Hamas could no longer loot and profit from stealing aid, played a huge role in convincing militant groups to participate and achieving a ceasefire."
Reactions and Responses
The Palestinian faction - which refutes aid diversion claims - welcomed the closure of the humanitarian foundation, as indicated by media.
A spokesman for said GHF should be made responsible for the harm it caused to local residents.
"We request all international human rights organisations to ensure that it does not escape accountability after leading to casualties and wounds of many residents and concealing the nutritional restriction approach employed by the Israeli government."
Operational Background
The GHF began operations in Gaza on 26 May, a seven days following the Israeli government had moderately reduced a total blockade on aid and commercial deliveries to Gaza that persisted for nearly three months and resulted in critical deficits of vital resources.
Subsequently, a nutritional emergency was proclaimed in Gaza City.
The organization's sustenance provision locations in various parts of the Palestinian territory were managed by United States-based protection companies and situated within Israeli military zones.
Humanitarian Concerns
The UN and its partners said the methodology violated the basic relief guidelines of neutrality, impartiality and independence, and that directing needy individuals into military-controlled areas was inherently unsafe.
International human rights monitoring body stated it documented the deaths of a minimum of 859 residents attempting to obtain nourishment in the vicinity of GHF sites between late May through end of July.
Another 514 people were lost their lives close to the courses followed by international humanitarian deliveries, it added.
The greater part of these people were lost their lives due to the Israeli military, based on the agency's reports.
Conflicting Accounts
Israel's armed services claimed its soldiers had fired warning shots at individuals who came near them in a "intimidating" way.
The GHF said there were no shooting events at the distribution centers and accused the UN of using "untrue and confusing" statistics from Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.
Future Implications
The foundation's prospects had been unclear since Palestinian factions and Israeli authorities consented a ceasefire deal to execute the primary segment of the American administration's peace initiative.
The agreement stated humanitarian assistance would take place "without interference from the two parties through the international bodies and their affiliates, and the international relief society, in addition to other international institutions not connected in any way" with Palestinian factions and Israeli authorities.
United Nations representative the international body's communicator said on Monday that the organization's termination would have "no influence" on its work "because we never worked with them".
The spokesperson additionally stated 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 2.1 million population.