🔗 Share this article

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

The organisation had earlier paused its several relief locations in Gaza after the truce agreement between Hamas and Israel was implemented in recent weeks.

The GHF aimed to circumvent United Nations channels as the primary provider of relief to Palestinian residents.

International relief agencies refused to co-operate with its approach, saying it was unethical and unsafe.

Hundreds of Palestinians were fatally wounded while attempting to obtain sustenance amid disorderly situations near the foundation's locations, primarily from Israeli forces, based on UN documentation.

Israeli authorities stated its forces fired alerting fire.

Program Termination

The foundation announced on the beginning of the week that it was concluding activities now because of the "effective conclusion of its crisis response", with a aggregate of 3 million parcels containing the amounting to in excess of 187 million sustenance units delivered to Palestinians.

The foundation's chief officer, Jon Acree, further mentioned the United States-operated coordination body - which has been established to help implement the American administration's Gaza initiative - would be "adopting and expanding the approach the organization demonstrated".

"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."

Feedback and Statements

The Palestinian faction - which refutes aid diversion claims - welcomed the closure of the aid organization, based on information.

A spokesman for declared the foundation should be made responsible for the damage it inflicted to local residents.

"We urge all global human rights groups to guarantee that responsibility is assigned after causing the death and injury of thousands of Gazans and covering up the food deprivation strategy practised by the Israel's administration."

Organization Timeline

The GHF began operations in Gaza on 26 May, a seven days following Israeli authorities had somewhat relaxed a total blockade on aid and commercial deliveries to Gaza that lasted 11 weeks and resulted in critical deficits of essential supplies.

After 90 days, a food crisis was announced in the Gaza metropolitan area.

The GHF's food distribution sites in various parts of the Palestinian territory were managed by US private security contractors and positioned in Israeli military zones.

Relief Agency Issues

The UN and its partners stated the approach breached the fundamental humanitarian principles of non-partisanship, even-handedness and self-determination, and that directing needy individuals into armed forces regions was inherently unsafe.

International human rights monitoring body stated it documented the killing of at least 859 Palestinians trying to acquire sustenance in the proximity to foundation locations between 26 May and 31 July.

A further 514 persons were fatally wounded around the paths taken by United Nations and additional relief shipments, it also mentioned.

The greater part of these people were killed by the Israel's armed forces, based on the agency's reports.

Contrasting Reports

The Israeli military stated its troops had released alerting fire at individuals who came near them in a "threatening" fashion.

The organization declared there were no shooting events at the relief locations and accused the UN of using "untrue and confusing" figures from the Gazan medical department controlled by militant factions.

Future Implications

The GHF's future had been unclear since Hamas and Israel agreed a ceasefire deal to execute the first phase of the United States' reconciliation proposal.

It said aid distribution would take place "without interference from the both sides through the UN organizations and their partners, and the humanitarian medical organization, in conjunction with other international institutions not associated in any manner" with Palestinian factions and Israeli authorities.

International organization official Stephane Dujarric stated recently that the GHF's shutdown would have "no influence" on its operations "because we never worked with them".

The official further mentioned that while increased relief was entering the region since the halt in hostilities began on October 10th, it was "not enough to address all necessities" of the 2.1 million residents.