Controversial American-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Terminates Relief Activities
The debated, US and Israel-backed GHF aid organization says it is concluding its humanitarian work in the Palestinian territory, after almost six months.
The group had previously halted its several relief locations in Gaza after the truce agreement between Hamas and Israel was implemented recently.
The GHF aimed to avoid UN systems as the main supplier of aid to Gaza's population.
United Nations organizations and other humanitarian groups would not collaborate with its methodology, stating it was questionable and hazardous.
Many residents were killed while trying to acquire nourishment amid chaotic scenes near the organization's distribution points, primarily from Israeli forces, as reported by United Nations.
Israel said its troops fired cautionary rounds.
Mission Completion
The organization declared on the beginning of the week that it was concluding activities now because of the "successful completion of its humanitarian effort", with a cumulative three million shipments containing the equivalent of more than 187 million meals provided to residents.
The foundation's chief officer, the foundation leader, further mentioned the United States-operated coordination body - which has been established to help carry out US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan - would be "implementing and enlarging the system the foundation tested".
"The foundation's approach, in which Palestinian factions were unable to divert and benefit from humanitarian assistance, had major impact in bringing Palestinian factions to negotiations and establishing a truce."
Reactions and Responses
The Palestinian faction - which refutes aid diversion claims - approved the termination of the aid organization, according to reports.
A spokesman for declared GHF should be held accountable for the harm it caused to local residents.
"We request all worldwide humanitarian bodies to make certain that consequences are faced after leading to casualties and wounds of thousands of Gazans and covering up the nutritional restriction approach implemented by the Israeli government."
Operational Background
The organization commenced activities in Gaza on May 26th, a week after Israeli authorities had somewhat relaxed a complete restriction on aid and commercial deliveries to Gaza that lasted 11 weeks and led to substantial deficiencies of vital resources.
Subsequently, a food crisis was announced in Gaza City.
The GHF's food distribution sites in southern and central Gaza were operated by US private security contractors and situated within regions under Israeli military authority.
Relief Agency Issues
The UN and its partners claimed the methodology violated the fundamental humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence, and that guiding distressed residents into militarised zones was inherently unsafe.
International human rights monitoring body reported it tracked the fatalities of no fewer than 859 Gazans seeking food in the proximity to foundation locations between spring and summer months.
An additional 514 individuals were fatally wounded around the courses followed by international humanitarian deliveries, it added.
The majority of these individuals were lost their lives due to the Israel's armed forces, according to the office.
Divergent Narratives
The Israeli military stated its forces had discharged cautionary rounds at individuals who came near them in a "threatening" manner.
The GHF said there were no shootings at the distribution centers and accused the UN of using "false and misleading" data from the Palestinian health authority administered by Hamas.
Future Implications
The foundation's prospects had been unclear since Palestinian factions and Israeli authorities consented a truce agreement to carry out the first phase of the American administration's peace initiative.
It said aid distribution would take place "absent meddling from the involved factions through the United Nations and its agencies, and the humanitarian medical organization, in conjunction with other global organizations not associated in any manner" with Hamas and Israel.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated recently that the organization's termination would have "zero effect" on its activities "as we never partnered with them".
The official further mentioned that while increased relief was entering the region since the halt in hostilities began on 10 October, it was "not enough to meet all the needs" of the 2.1 million residents.