Controversial US-backed GHF Aid Organization Ends Relief Activities

Aid work in the region
The GHF had paused its relief locations in Gaza following the truce came into force six weeks ago

The disputed, US and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) says it is terminating its relief activities in the Palestinian territory, after almost six months.

The organisation had previously halted its several relief locations in Gaza following the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took effect in recent weeks.

The GHF aimed to bypass the UN as the primary provider of aid to Gaza's population.

International relief agencies declined to participate with its approach, stating it was improper and dangerous.

Many residents were lost their lives while attempting to obtain sustenance amid chaotic scenes near the organization's distribution points, mostly by Israeli fire, according to the UN.

The Israeli military claimed its forces fired warning shots.

Mission Completion

The foundation announced on the beginning of the week that it was winding down operations now because of the "satisfactory fulfillment of its emergency mission", with a aggregate of 3 million parcels containing the corresponding to over 187 million food portions delivered to Palestinians.

The organization's top administrator, the foundation leader, further mentioned the United States-operated coordination body - which has been created to help execute the United States' Palestinian peace proposal - would be "taking over and developing the model GHF piloted".

"GHF's model, in which Hamas could no longer loot and profit from stealing aid, played a huge role in getting Hamas to the table and achieving a ceasefire."

Feedback and Statements

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

A representative of declared the foundation should be subject to scrutiny for the harm it caused to Palestinians.

"We call upon all international human rights organisations to make certain that consequences are faced after causing the death and injury of numerous Palestinians and covering up the starvation policy practised by the Israeli authorities."

Organization Timeline

The foundation started work in Gaza on 26 May, a seven days following 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 Gaza City.

The organization's sustenance provision locations in southern and central Gaza were administered by US private security contractors and situated within Israeli military zones.

Aid Organization Objections

The UN and its partners stated the system contravened the core assistance standards of objectivity, fairness and autonomy, and that guiding distressed residents into armed forces regions was inherently unsafe.

The UN's human rights office said it recorded the killing of at least 859 Palestinians attempting to obtain nourishment in the area surrounding organization centers between 26 May and 31 July.

A further 514 persons were lost their lives close to the routes of UN and other aid convoys, it also mentioned.

The majority of these individuals were killed by the Israeli forces, according to the office.

Divergent Narratives

Israeli defense forces stated its forces had discharged cautionary rounds at people who approached them in a "menacing" manner.

The foundation stated there were no shootings at the distribution centers and claimed the international organization of using "false and misleading" statistics from the Palestinian health authority administered by Hamas.

Future Implications

The organization's continuation had been unclear since militant groups and the Israeli government approved a truce agreement to implement the primary segment of the American administration's peace initiative.

The agreement stated 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 connected in any way" with Hamas and Israel.

International organization official Stephane Dujarric declared this week that the foundation's closure would have "zero effect" on its work "as we never partnered with them".

The official further mentioned that while increased relief was entering the region since the truce was implemented on early October, it was "not enough to address all necessities" of the 2.1 million population.

Rachel Gray
Rachel Gray

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