🔗 Share this article

The disputed, US and Israel-backed GHF aid organization says it is concluding its aid operations in the Gaza region, after almost six months.

The group had already suspended its three food distribution sites in Gaza following the truce agreement between Hamas and Israel was implemented recently.

The organization attempted to circumvent United Nations channels as the primary provider of aid to Gaza's population.

UN and other aid agencies declined to participate with its system, claiming it was improper and dangerous.

Hundreds of Palestinians were fatally wounded while seeking food amid disorderly situations near the foundation's locations, mostly by Israeli fire, according to the UN.

Israel said its soldiers fired alerting fire.

Mission Completion

The GHF said on the beginning of the week that it was winding down operations now because of the "effective conclusion of its humanitarian effort", with a aggregate of 3 million parcels containing the corresponding to over 187 million food portions distributed to Gazans.

The foundation's chief officer, the foundation leader, additionally stated the US-led Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) - which has been created to help carry out the United States' Palestinian peace proposal - would be "taking over and developing the approach the organization demonstrated".

"The organization's system, in which Palestinian factions were unable to divert and benefit from humanitarian assistance, had major impact in bringing Palestinian factions to negotiations and establishing a truce."

Comments and Positions

The Palestinian faction - which refutes aid diversion claims - supported the shutdown of the GHF, as indicated by media.

An official from declared GHF should be subject to scrutiny for the harm it caused to local residents.

"We urge all worldwide humanitarian bodies to make certain that consequences are faced after causing the death and injury of many residents and covering up the food deprivation strategy employed by the Israeli government."

Foundation History

The organization commenced activities in Gaza on 26 May, a week after the Israeli government had moderately reduced a complete restriction on humanitarian and trade shipments to Gaza that persisted for nearly three months and caused severe shortages of vital resources.

Three months later, a nutritional emergency was proclaimed in the Gaza metropolitan area.

The foundation's nourishment distribution centers in the southern and middle regions of Gaza were managed by US private security contractors and located inside areas controlled by Israeli forces.

Relief Agency Issues

United Nations agencies and their collaborators said the approach breached the core assistance standards of neutrality, impartiality and independence, and that guiding distressed residents into militarised zones was intrinsically hazardous.

The UN's human rights office stated it documented the killing of at least 859 Palestinians attempting to obtain nourishment in the vicinity of GHF sites between spring and summer months.

A further 514 persons were killed near the courses followed by international humanitarian deliveries, it also mentioned.

The majority of these individuals were fatally wounded by the Israel's armed forces, according to the office.

Divergent Narratives

Israel's armed services said its soldiers had fired warning shots at individuals who came near them in a "menacing" fashion.

The foundation stated there were no shooting events at the distribution centers and alleged that United Nations of using "inaccurate and deceptive" statistics from the Palestinian health authority administered by Hamas.

Subsequent Developments

The GHF's future had been unclear since Hamas and Israel agreed a ceasefire deal to implement the initial stage of Trump's peace plan.

It said relief provision would take place "without interference from the two parties through the UN organizations and their partners, and the humanitarian medical organization, in combination with other international institutions not connected in any way" with Palestinian factions and Israeli authorities.

UN spokesperson the international body's communicator stated recently that the foundation's closure would have "no influence" on its activities "as we never partnered with them".

He also said that while more aid was getting into Gaza since the halt in hostilities began on October 10th, it was "not enough to address all necessities" of the over two million inhabitants.