Disputed American-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Terminates Aid Operations

Humanitarian activities in the Palestinian territory
The foundation previously halted its food distribution centers in Gaza following the truce took effect last month

The controversial, US and Israel-backed Gaza relief foundation says it is winding down its relief activities in the Palestinian territory, following nearly half a year.

The group had earlier paused its three food distribution sites in Gaza subsequent to the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took effect six weeks ago.

The foundation sought to bypass the UN as the chief distributor of humanitarian assistance to Gazans.

United Nations organizations and other humanitarian groups would not collaborate with its methodology, saying it was unethical and unsafe.

Numerous Gazans were lost their lives while seeking food amid chaotic scenes near GHF's sites, primarily from Israeli forces, based on UN documentation.

Israel said its troops fired warning shots.

Mission Completion

The foundation announced on the beginning of the week that it was winding down operations now because of the "satisfactory fulfillment of its crisis response", with a cumulative three million shipments containing the corresponding to over 187 million food portions delivered to Palestinians.

The organization's top administrator, the executive director, further mentioned the US-led Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) - which has been established to help execute US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan - would be "implementing and enlarging the system the foundation tested".

"The organization's system, in which Palestinian factions were unable to divert and benefit from humanitarian assistance, had major impact in getting Hamas to the table and achieving a ceasefire."

Feedback and Statements

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

An official from stated GHF should be held accountable for the damage it inflicted to Palestinians.

"We call upon all global human rights groups to guarantee that responsibility is assigned after resulting in fatalities and harm of many residents and concealing the starvation policy practised by the Israel's administration."

Organization Timeline

The organization commenced activities in Gaza on late May, a seven days following Israeli authorities had somewhat relaxed a complete restriction on humanitarian and trade shipments to Gaza that lasted 11 weeks and resulted in critical deficits of vital resources.

After 90 days, a food crisis was announced in the Gaza metropolitan area.

The foundation's nourishment distribution centers in the southern and middle regions of Gaza were operated by American private security firms and situated within Israeli military zones.

Relief Agency Issues

International organizations and their affiliates stated the system contravened the basic relief guidelines of neutrality, impartiality and independence, and that directing needy individuals into militarised zones was inherently unsafe.

International human rights monitoring body stated it documented the killing of at least 859 Palestinians seeking food in the vicinity of GHF sites between spring and summer months.

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

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

Conflicting Accounts

Israeli defense forces said its soldiers had discharged cautionary rounds at individuals who came near them in a "threatening" fashion.

The organization declared there were no shooting events at the aid sites and alleged that United Nations of using "inaccurate and deceptive" data from the Palestinian health authority administered by Hamas.

Subsequent Developments

The GHF's future had been uncertain since militant groups and the Israeli government approved a ceasefire deal to carry out the primary segment of the American administration's peace initiative.

The arrangement specified humanitarian assistance would take place "absent meddling from the both sides through the international bodies and their affiliates, and the Red Crescent, in conjunction with other international institutions not connected in any way" with Palestinian factions and Israeli authorities.

United Nations representative the UN spokesman said on Monday that the GHF's shutdown would have "zero effect" on its operations "as we never partnered with them".

He also said that while more aid was getting into Gaza since the ceasefire took effect on October 10th, it was "insufficient to meet all the needs" of the 2.1 million population.

Nicole Butler
Nicole Butler

A tech enthusiast and streaming expert with over a decade of experience in digital media and content creation.