🔗 Share this article

The disputed, US and Israel-backed Gaza relief foundation declares it is concluding its aid operations in the Gaza region, after almost six months.

The group had previously halted its multiple aid distribution centers in Gaza subsequent to the truce agreement between Hamas and Israel was implemented recently.

The GHF aimed to avoid UN systems as the primary provider of humanitarian assistance to Gazans.

International relief agencies would not collaborate with its system, stating it was unethical and unsafe.

Many residents were killed while seeking food amid turbulent circumstances near the organization's distribution points, mainly through Israeli military action, as reported by United Nations.

The Israeli military claimed its forces fired cautionary rounds.

Mission Completion

The GHF said on recently that it was terminating work now because of the "effective conclusion of its emergency mission", with a aggregate of 3 million parcels containing the equivalent of more than 187 million meals distributed to Gazans.

The GHF's executive director, the foundation leader, further mentioned the US-led Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) - which has been set up to help implement the American administration's Gaza initiative - would be "implementing and enlarging the model GHF piloted".

"The foundation's approach, in which Hamas could no longer loot and profit from stealing aid, played a huge role in convincing militant groups to participate and securing a halt in hostilities."

Comments and Positions

The militant group - which disputes allegations of misappropriation - welcomed the closure of the GHF, according to reports.

A representative of said the organization should be subject to scrutiny for the negative impact it created to Palestinians.

"We request all global human rights groups to ensure that it does not escape accountability after leading to casualties and wounds of many residents and covering up the food deprivation strategy practised by the Israel's administration."

Operational Background

The foundation started work in Gaza on May 26th, a seven days following Israel had partially eased a comprehensive closure on aid and commercial deliveries to Gaza that continued for 77 days and caused severe shortages of necessary provisions.

Subsequently, a food crisis was announced in Gaza City.

The GHF's food distribution sites in the southern and middle regions of Gaza were administered by US private security contractors and positioned in regions under Israeli military authority.

Humanitarian Concerns

International organizations and their affiliates stated the approach violated the core assistance standards of neutrality, impartiality and independence, and that directing needy individuals into militarised zones was intrinsically hazardous.

The UN's human rights office stated it documented the deaths of a minimum of 859 residents trying to acquire sustenance in the proximity to foundation locations between spring and summer months.

A further 514 persons were fatally wounded around the paths taken by United Nations and additional relief shipments, it further stated.

Most of them were fatally wounded by the Israeli forces, based on the agency's reports.

Divergent Narratives

Israel's armed services stated its troops had released alerting fire at people who approached them in a "threatening" way.

The organization declared there were no firearm incidents at the aid sites and claimed the international organization of using "inaccurate and deceptive" data from the Palestinian health authority administered by Hamas.

Ongoing Situation

The organization's continuation had been uncertain since Hamas and Israel agreed a truce agreement to implement the initial stage of Trump's peace plan.

The arrangement specified aid distribution would take place "absent meddling from the both sides through the UN organizations and their partners, and the humanitarian medical organization, in combination with other global organizations not associated in any manner" with Palestinian factions and Israeli authorities.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Monday that the GHF's shutdown would have "zero effect" on its operations "since we never collaborated with them".

The official further mentioned that while more aid was getting into Gaza since the halt in hostilities began on early October, it was "insufficient to satisfy all requirements" of the 2.1 million population.