Controversial US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Terminates Relief Activities

Aid operations in Gaza
The foundation previously halted its aid distribution sites in Gaza after the truce was implemented recently

The controversial, United States and Israel-funded Gaza relief foundation says it is winding down its humanitarian work in the affected area, subsequent to approximately 180 days.

The organisation had already suspended its several relief locations in Gaza subsequent to the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel came into force recently.

The GHF aimed to circumvent United Nations channels as the primary provider of humanitarian assistance to Gazans.

UN and other aid agencies declined to participate with its system, saying it was improper and dangerous.

Many residents were lost their lives while trying to acquire nourishment amid disorderly situations near the foundation's locations, mostly by Israeli fire, as reported by United Nations.

Israel said its forces fired cautionary rounds.

Program Termination

The foundation announced on Monday that it was winding down operations now because of the "successful completion of its humanitarian effort", with a cumulative three million shipments containing the amounting to in excess of 187 million sustenance units distributed to Gazans.

The GHF's executive director, the foundation leader, additionally stated the United States-operated coordination body - which has been established to help execute US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan - would be "adopting and expanding the model GHF piloted".

"The organization's system, in which Palestinian factions were unable to divert and benefit from humanitarian assistance, had major impact 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 GHF, as indicated by media.

An official from stated the organization should be held accountable for the damage it inflicted to Gazans.

"We urge all worldwide humanitarian bodies to ensure that it does not escape accountability after leading to casualties and wounds of numerous Palestinians and covering up the nutritional restriction approach employed by the Israeli government."

Operational Background

The GHF began operations in Gaza on late May, a short period subsequent to the Israeli government had moderately reduced a total blockade on humanitarian and trade shipments to Gaza that lasted 11 weeks and caused severe shortages of vital resources.

Subsequently, a nutritional emergency was proclaimed in the Gaza metropolitan area.

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

Aid Organization Objections

United Nations agencies and their collaborators claimed the methodology contravened the core assistance standards of objectivity, fairness and autonomy, and that guiding distressed residents into armed forces regions was fundamentally dangerous.

The UN's human rights office said it recorded the killing of at least 859 Palestinians attempting to obtain nourishment in the vicinity of GHF sites between late May through end of July.

An additional 514 individuals were killed near the routes of UN and other aid convoys, it added.

The majority of these individuals were killed by the Israel's armed forces, as per the organization's documentation.

Conflicting Accounts

Israel's armed services claimed its troops had fired warning shots at people who approached them in a "threatening" way.

The foundation stated there were no shooting events at the aid sites and claimed the international organization of using "inaccurate and deceptive" figures from the Gazan medical department controlled by militant factions.

Subsequent Developments

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

The agreement stated aid distribution would take place "without interference from the two parties through the international bodies and their affiliates, and the international relief society, in addition to other worldwide bodies not linked whatsoever" with militant groups and the Israeli government.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Monday that the foundation's closure would have "no influence" on its operations "because we never worked with them".

The official further mentioned that while additional assistance was reaching the Palestinian territory since the halt in hostilities began on 10 October, it was "insufficient to meet all the needs" of the 2.1 million population.

Danielle Montoya
Danielle Montoya

Elara is a seasoned gamer and content creator, passionate about sharing strategies and fostering community growth in the gaming world.