🔗 Share this article

The disputed, United States and Israel-funded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) announces it is terminating its relief activities in the affected area, subsequent to approximately 180 days.

The foundation had already suspended its multiple aid distribution centers in Gaza after the truce agreement between Hamas and Israel came into force six weeks ago.

The organization attempted to bypass the UN as the primary provider of relief to Palestinian residents.

UN and other aid agencies would not collaborate with its system, claiming it was improper and dangerous.

Many residents were fatally wounded while attempting to obtain sustenance amid disorderly situations near GHF's sites, primarily from Israeli forces, based on UN documentation.

The Israeli military claimed its troops fired alerting fire.

Program Termination

The organization declared on Monday that it was winding down operations now because of the "successful completion of its emergency mission", with a cumulative three million shipments containing the corresponding to over 187 million food portions distributed to Gazans.

The organization's top administrator, the foundation leader, further mentioned the American-directed Civil-Military Coordination Center - which has been set up to help implement the American administration's Gaza initiative - would be "adopting and expanding the system the foundation tested".

"GHF's model, in which Palestinian factions were unable to divert and benefit from humanitarian assistance, was significantly influential in bringing Palestinian factions to negotiations and securing a halt in hostilities."

Comments and Positions

The Palestinian faction - which refutes aid diversion claims - approved the termination of the aid organization, according to reports.

A representative of said GHF should be held accountable for the negative impact it created to Palestinians.

"We urge all worldwide humanitarian bodies to ensure that it does not escape accountability after resulting in fatalities and harm of numerous Palestinians and covering up the food deprivation strategy practised by the Israeli government."

Organization Timeline

The GHF began operations in Gaza on May 26th, a seven days following Israeli authorities had somewhat relaxed a comprehensive closure on aid and commercial deliveries to Gaza that continued for 77 days and caused severe shortages of necessary provisions.

Three months later, a nutritional emergency was proclaimed in Gaza City.

The GHF's food distribution sites in various parts of the Palestinian territory were operated by US private security contractors and positioned in regions under Israeli military authority.

Relief Agency Issues

United Nations agencies and their collaborators claimed the system contravened the fundamental humanitarian principles of objectivity, fairness and autonomy, and that channelling desperate people into militarised zones was inherently unsafe.

The UN's human rights office stated it documented the deaths of a minimum of 859 residents seeking food in the vicinity of GHF sites between 26 May and 31 July.

An additional 514 individuals were lost their lives close to the paths taken by United Nations and additional relief shipments, it also mentioned.

Most of them were lost their lives due to the Israeli military, based on the agency's reports.

Divergent Narratives

Israel's armed services claimed its forces had fired warning shots at individuals who came near them in a "menacing" way.

The GHF said there were no shootings at the relief locations and alleged that United Nations of using "false and misleading" data from the Gazan medical department controlled by militant factions.

Subsequent Developments

The organization's continuation had been uncertain since Palestinian factions and Israeli authorities consented a truce agreement to implement the first phase of the United States' reconciliation proposal.

The agreement stated relief provision would take place "without interference from the involved factions through the international bodies and their affiliates, and the Red Crescent, in addition to other international institutions not linked whatsoever" with militant groups and the Israeli government.

United Nations representative Stephane Dujarric stated recently that the GHF's shutdown would have "no impact" on its activities "since we never collaborated with them".

He also said that while additional assistance was reaching the Palestinian territory since the ceasefire took effect on 10 October, it was "inadequate to meet all the needs" of the over two million inhabitants.