Debated US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Ends Relief Activities

Humanitarian activities in the region
The GHF had halted its food distribution centers in Gaza after the ceasefire came into force last month

The disputed, United States and Israel-funded Gaza relief foundation announces it is terminating its relief activities in the Gaza region, following nearly half a year.

The foundation had previously halted its several relief locations in Gaza after the halt in hostilities between Palestinian factions and Israel took effect recently.

The foundation sought to bypass the UN as the main supplier of humanitarian assistance to Gazans.

United Nations organizations and other humanitarian groups refused to co-operate with its system, claiming it was improper and dangerous.

Numerous Gazans were killed while trying to acquire nourishment amid disorderly situations near the organization's distribution points, mostly by Israeli fire, according to the UN.

Israel said its troops fired cautionary rounds.

Program Termination

The organization declared on Monday that it was terminating work now because of the "successful completion of its humanitarian effort", with a cumulative three million shipments containing the corresponding to over 187 million food portions distributed to Gazans.

The organization's top administrator, the executive director, also said the United States-operated coordination body - which has been set up to help carry out the United States' Palestinian peace proposal - would be "taking over and developing the approach the organization demonstrated".

"The foundation's approach, in which militant groups were prevented from misappropriating relief supplies, played a huge role in getting Hamas to the table and establishing a truce."

Reactions and Responses

The militant group - which disputes allegations of misappropriation - welcomed the closure of the aid organization, as indicated by media.

An official from declared GHF should be subject to scrutiny for the damage it inflicted to Palestinians.

"We request all global human rights groups to guarantee that responsibility is assigned after leading to casualties and wounds of many residents and covering up the starvation policy implemented by the Israeli government."

Organization Timeline

The organization commenced activities in Gaza on 26 May, a week after Israeli authorities had somewhat relaxed a complete restriction on relief and commercial goods to Gaza that persisted for nearly three months and resulted in critical deficits of vital resources.

Subsequently, a nutritional emergency was proclaimed in the Palestinian urban center.

The foundation's nourishment distribution centers in the southern and middle regions of Gaza were operated by US private security contractors and situated within Israeli military zones.

Relief Agency Issues

International organizations and their affiliates stated the system violated the basic relief guidelines of non-partisanship, even-handedness and self-determination, and that channelling desperate people into military-controlled areas was intrinsically hazardous.

United Nations human rights division said it recorded the deaths of a minimum of 859 residents trying to acquire sustenance in the area surrounding organization centers between spring and summer months.

Another 514 people were killed near the routes of UN and other aid convoys, it further stated.

The greater part of these people were fatally wounded by the Israeli military, as per the organization's documentation.

Contrasting Reports

The Israeli military claimed its soldiers had released alerting fire at individuals who came near them in a "menacing" way.

The foundation stated there were no shootings at the distribution centers and accused the UN of using "untrue and confusing" figures from the Palestinian health authority administered by Hamas.

Ongoing Situation

The foundation's prospects had been indefinite since Palestinian factions and Israeli authorities consented a halt in hostilities arrangement to execute the first phase of the American administration's peace initiative.

The arrangement specified aid distribution would take place "free from intervention from the involved factions 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.

International organization official Stephane Dujarric stated recently that the GHF's shutdown would have "no impact" 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 "insufficient to meet all the needs" of the 2.1 million population.

Sara Rojas
Sara Rojas

Elara is a tech enthusiast and writer with a passion for exploring emerging technologies and their impact on society.