Disputed US-backed GHF Aid Organization Concludes Relief Activities

Aid activities in the Palestinian territory
The foundation previously halted its aid distribution sites in Gaza after the halt in hostilities was implemented last month

The disputed, US and Israel-backed GHF aid organization announces it is terminating its relief activities in the affected area, after almost six months.

The group had already suspended its multiple aid distribution centers in Gaza after the truce agreement between Hamas and Israel was implemented six weeks ago.

The organization attempted to avoid UN systems as the main supplier of aid to Gaza's population.

UN and other aid agencies declined to participate with its system, claiming it was unethical and unsafe.

Many residents were lost their lives while attempting to obtain sustenance amid chaotic scenes near GHF's sites, mainly through Israeli military action, based on UN documentation.

Israeli authorities stated its troops fired alerting fire.

Program Termination

The foundation announced on the beginning of the week that it was winding down operations now because of the "successful completion of its emergency mission", with a aggregate of 3 million parcels containing the equivalent of more than 187 million meals distributed to Gazans.

The GHF's executive director, the executive director, also said the US-led Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) - which has been created to help implement the American administration's Gaza initiative - would be "taking over and developing the model GHF piloted".

"The foundation's approach, in which Hamas could no longer loot and profit from stealing aid, had major impact in getting Hamas to the table and establishing a truce."

Reactions and Responses

The Palestinian faction - which refutes aid diversion claims - welcomed the closure of the humanitarian foundation, according to reports.

A spokesman for declared the foundation should be held accountable for the harm it caused to Gazans.

"We request all global human rights groups to guarantee that responsibility is assigned after causing the death and injury of numerous Palestinians and obscuring the nutritional restriction approach implemented by the Israel's administration."

Operational Background

The foundation started work in Gaza on 26 May, a short period subsequent to the Israeli government had moderately reduced a complete restriction on humanitarian and trade shipments to Gaza that continued for 77 days and resulted in critical deficits of vital resources.

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

The organization's sustenance provision locations in the southern and middle regions of Gaza were managed by US private security contractors and located inside Israeli military zones.

Humanitarian Concerns

United Nations agencies and their collaborators said the approach contravened the fundamental humanitarian principles of objectivity, fairness and autonomy, and that directing needy individuals into military-controlled areas was fundamentally dangerous.

United Nations human rights division reported it tracked the fatalities of no fewer than 859 Gazans trying to acquire sustenance in the vicinity of GHF sites between spring and summer months.

An additional 514 individuals were killed near 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, as per the organization's documentation.

Conflicting Accounts

The Israeli military said its soldiers had discharged cautionary rounds at persons who advanced toward them in a "menacing" manner.

The GHF said there were no shooting events at the distribution centers and accused the UN of using "false and misleading" statistics from Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.

Future Implications

The organization's continuation had been unclear since militant groups and the Israeli government approved a halt in hostilities arrangement to execute the first phase of the United States' reconciliation proposal.

It said humanitarian assistance would take place "free from intervention from the two parties through the international bodies and their affiliates, and the Red Crescent, in addition to other global organizations not linked whatsoever" with militant groups and the Israeli government.

International organization official Stephane Dujarric said on Monday that the GHF's shutdown would have "no impact" on its activities "since we never collaborated with them".

The spokesperson additionally stated that while additional assistance was reaching the Palestinian territory since the truce was implemented on October 10th, it was "not enough to address all necessities" of the over two million inhabitants.

Daniel Payne
Daniel Payne

Lena is a passionate writer and observer of everyday life, sharing her unique perspectives to inspire and connect with readers.