🔗 Share this article

The disputed, US and Israel-backed Gaza relief foundation says it is concluding its humanitarian work in the Gaza region, after almost six months.

The organisation had previously halted its multiple aid distribution centers in Gaza after the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took effect six weeks ago.

The organization attempted to circumvent United Nations channels as the chief distributor of relief to Palestinian residents.

United Nations organizations and other humanitarian groups declined to participate with its methodology, stating it was improper and dangerous.

Many residents were fatally wounded while attempting to obtain sustenance amid chaotic scenes near GHF's sites, mostly by Israeli fire, as reported by United Nations.

Israel said its forces fired warning shots.

Program Termination

The foundation announced on recently that it was terminating work now because of the "successful completion of its crisis response", with a cumulative three million shipments containing the corresponding to over 187 million food portions delivered to Palestinians.

The foundation's chief officer, Jon Acree, further mentioned the United States-operated coordination body - which has been established to help carry out the United States' Palestinian peace proposal - would be "adopting and expanding the system the foundation tested".

"The organization's system, in which militant groups were prevented from misappropriating relief supplies, played a huge role in convincing militant groups to participate and achieving a ceasefire."

Comments and Positions

The militant group - which disputes allegations of misappropriation - approved the termination of the aid organization, according to reports.

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

"We call upon all global human rights groups to guarantee that responsibility is assigned after resulting in fatalities and harm of thousands of Gazans and covering up the starvation policy employed by the Israel's administration."

Organization Timeline

The GHF began operations in Gaza on late May, a short period subsequent to the Israeli government had moderately reduced a total blockade on aid and commercial deliveries to Gaza that continued for 77 days and caused severe shortages of essential supplies.

Subsequently, a famine was declared in the Gaza metropolitan area.

The GHF's food distribution sites in southern and central Gaza were operated by United States-based protection companies and situated within areas controlled by Israeli forces.

Relief Agency Issues

United Nations agencies and their collaborators said the methodology contravened the basic relief guidelines of neutrality, impartiality and independence, and that channelling desperate people into armed forces regions was inherently unsafe.

The UN's human rights office reported it tracked the killing of at least 859 Palestinians trying to acquire sustenance in the area surrounding organization centers between 26 May and 31 July.

Another 514 people were fatally wounded around the paths taken by United Nations and additional relief shipments, it added.

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

Contrasting Reports

The Israeli military said its soldiers had released alerting fire at people who approached them in a "threatening" way.

The foundation stated there were no shootings at the relief locations and claimed the international organization of using "untrue and confusing" data from Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.

Subsequent Developments

The organization's continuation had been indefinite since militant groups and the Israeli government approved a halt in hostilities arrangement to carry out the initial stage of Trump's peace plan.

The agreement stated aid distribution would take place "without interference from the two parties through the United Nations and its agencies, and the international relief society, in conjunction with other global organizations not linked whatsoever" with Hamas and Israel.

International organization official the UN spokesman stated recently that the GHF's shutdown would have "no impact" on its activities "as we never partnered with them".

The spokesperson additionally stated that while additional assistance was reaching the Palestinian territory since the halt in hostilities began on 10 October, it was "inadequate to address all necessities" of the over two million inhabitants.