🔗 Share this article

The controversial, United States and Israel-funded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) declares it is winding down its humanitarian work in the Palestinian territory, following nearly half a year.

The group had already suspended its multiple aid distribution centers in Gaza following the halt in hostilities between Palestinian factions and Israel was implemented six weeks ago.

The organization attempted to circumvent United Nations channels as the chief distributor of humanitarian assistance to Gazans.

United Nations organizations and other humanitarian groups would not collaborate with its methodology, stating it was improper and dangerous.

Hundreds of Palestinians were killed while trying to acquire nourishment amid chaotic scenes near the foundation's locations, primarily from Israeli forces, as reported by United Nations.

The Israeli military claimed its soldiers fired cautionary rounds.

Mission Completion

The organization declared on recently that it was concluding activities now because of the "effective conclusion of its emergency mission", with a aggregate of 3 million parcels containing the corresponding to over 187 million food portions distributed to Gazans.

The organization's top administrator, the executive director, further mentioned the American-directed Civil-Military Coordination Center - which has been established 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, played a huge role in bringing Palestinian factions to negotiations 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 declared the organization should be held accountable for the harm it caused to local residents.

"We request all global human rights groups to guarantee that responsibility is assigned after leading to casualties and wounds of thousands of Gazans and concealing the food deprivation strategy practised by the Israel's administration."

Operational Background

The GHF began operations in Gaza on 26 May, a seven days following the Israeli government had moderately reduced a comprehensive closure on humanitarian and trade shipments to Gaza that continued for 77 days and led to substantial deficiencies of necessary provisions.

Three months later, a famine was declared in the Palestinian urban center.

The GHF's food distribution sites in various parts of the Palestinian territory were administered by United States-based protection companies and located inside Israeli military zones.

Humanitarian Concerns

United Nations agencies and their collaborators claimed the methodology violated the basic relief guidelines of objectivity, fairness and autonomy, and that guiding distressed residents into armed forces regions was intrinsically hazardous.

United Nations human rights division said it recorded the killing of at least 859 Palestinians trying to acquire sustenance 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 added.

The majority of these individuals were fatally wounded by the Israeli military, based on the agency's reports.

Divergent Narratives

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

The organization declared there were no shooting events at the relief locations and alleged that United Nations of using "false and misleading" statistics from the Gazan medical department controlled by militant factions.

Ongoing Situation

The GHF's future had been unclear since militant groups and the Israeli government approved a ceasefire deal to implement the first phase of the United States' reconciliation proposal.

The arrangement specified humanitarian assistance would take place "absent meddling from the two parties through the UN organizations and their partners, and the international relief society, in addition to other global organizations not connected in any way" with militant groups and the Israeli government.

United Nations representative the UN spokesman stated recently that the foundation's closure would have "zero effect" on its activities "because we never worked with them".

He also said that while increased relief was entering the region since the truce was implemented on October 10th, it was "inadequate to address all necessities" of the 2.1 million residents.