Debated American-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Terminates Aid Operations

Humanitarian operations in the Palestinian territory
The foundation previously paused its food distribution centers in Gaza following the truce was implemented last month

The debated, American and Israeli-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) announces it is terminating its aid operations in the affected area, after almost six months.

The foundation had earlier paused its multiple aid distribution centers in Gaza after the truce agreement between Hamas and Israel came into force six weeks ago.

The GHF aimed to avoid UN systems as the chief distributor of aid to Gaza's population.

International relief agencies would not collaborate with its approach, saying it was improper and dangerous.

Many residents were killed while seeking food amid disorderly situations near the foundation's locations, primarily from Israeli forces, according to the UN.

Israel said its forces fired cautionary rounds.

Program Termination

The foundation announced on Monday that it was winding down operations now because of the "successful completion of its emergency mission", with a total of three million packages containing the corresponding to over 187 million food portions provided to residents.

The organization's top administrator, the executive director, additionally stated the United States-operated coordination body - which has been set up to help carry out the United States' Palestinian peace proposal - would be "implementing and enlarging the approach the organization demonstrated".

"The foundation's approach, in which Palestinian factions were unable to divert and benefit from humanitarian assistance, was significantly influential in getting Hamas to the table and achieving a ceasefire."

Comments and Positions

The Palestinian faction - which refutes aid diversion claims - supported the shutdown of the humanitarian foundation, as indicated by media.

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 make certain that consequences are faced after causing the death and injury of numerous Palestinians and covering up the food deprivation strategy employed by the Israeli authorities."

Organization Timeline

The foundation started work in Gaza on late May, a seven days following Israeli authorities had somewhat relaxed a complete restriction on relief and commercial goods to Gaza that continued for 77 days and led to substantial deficiencies of essential supplies.

Subsequently, a food crisis was announced in the Palestinian urban center.

The GHF's food distribution sites in the southern and middle regions of Gaza were operated by US private security contractors and located inside areas controlled by Israeli forces.

Aid Organization Objections

International organizations and their affiliates claimed the approach violated the core assistance standards of neutrality, impartiality and independence, and that directing needy individuals into armed forces regions was intrinsically hazardous.

United Nations human rights division said it recorded the killing of at least 859 Palestinians attempting to obtain nourishment in the proximity to foundation locations between 26 May and 31 July.

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

Most of them were fatally wounded by the Israeli forces, as per the organization's documentation.

Contrasting Reports

The Israeli military claimed its soldiers had fired warning shots at individuals who came near them in a "intimidating" way.

The GHF said there were no shooting events at the distribution centers and alleged that United Nations of using "false and misleading" statistics from the Palestinian health authority administered by Hamas.

Future Implications

The GHF's future had been uncertain since Hamas and Israel agreed a truce agreement to carry out the first phase of the United States' reconciliation proposal.

The arrangement specified aid distribution would take place "without interference from the involved factions through the UN organizations and their partners, and the Red Crescent, in conjunction with other international institutions not linked whatsoever" with Palestinian factions and Israeli authorities.

United Nations representative the international body's communicator stated recently that the GHF's shutdown would have "zero effect" on its activities "as we never partnered with them".

The official further mentioned that while additional assistance was reaching the Palestinian territory since the halt in hostilities began on early October, it was "insufficient to satisfy all requirements" of the 2.1 million population.

Susan Brown
Susan Brown

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