Controversial US-backed GHF Aid Organization Terminates Humanitarian Work

The disputed, United States and Israel-funded GHF aid organization declares it is concluding its relief activities in the Gaza region, following nearly half a year.

The group had already suspended its three food distribution sites in Gaza following the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel was implemented recently.

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

UN and other aid agencies would not collaborate with its methodology, claiming it was questionable and hazardous.

Numerous Gazans were lost their lives while trying to acquire nourishment amid turbulent circumstances near the organization's distribution points, primarily from Israeli forces, based on UN documentation.

Israel said its forces fired warning shots.

Program Termination

The organization declared on Monday that it was concluding activities now because of the "satisfactory fulfillment of its humanitarian effort", with a cumulative three million shipments containing the corresponding to over 187 million food portions distributed to Gazans.

The GHF's executive director, the executive director, further mentioned the American-directed Civil-Military Coordination Center - which has been set up to help execute the United States' Palestinian peace proposal - would be "adopting and expanding the system the foundation tested".

"The organization's system, in which Hamas could no longer loot and profit from stealing aid, had major impact in bringing Palestinian factions to negotiations and establishing a truce."

Comments and Positions

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

An official from said the organization should be subject to scrutiny for the harm it caused to local residents.

"We request all global human rights groups to ensure that it does not escape accountability after resulting in fatalities and harm of many residents and covering up the starvation policy employed by the Israel's administration."

Foundation History

The organization commenced activities in Gaza on late May, a seven days following Israel had partially eased a complete restriction on relief and commercial goods to Gaza that persisted for nearly three months and led to substantial deficiencies of necessary provisions.

Three months later, a famine was declared in the Gaza metropolitan area.

The GHF's food distribution sites in southern and central Gaza were managed by American private security firms and positioned in regions under Israeli military authority.

Relief Agency Issues

International organizations and their affiliates said the methodology violated the core assistance standards of neutrality, impartiality and independence, and that guiding distressed residents into militarised zones was inherently unsafe.

United Nations human rights division stated it documented the fatalities of no fewer than 859 Gazans attempting to obtain nourishment in the vicinity of GHF sites between 26 May and 31 July.

A further 514 persons were killed near the routes of UN and other aid convoys, it also mentioned.

Most of them were lost their lives due to the Israeli military, based on the agency's reports.

Divergent Narratives

Israel's armed services claimed its soldiers had discharged cautionary rounds at people who approached them in a "threatening" manner.

The organization declared there were no shootings at the distribution centers and alleged that United Nations of using "untrue and confusing" statistics from the Gazan medical department controlled by militant factions.

Ongoing Situation

The organization's continuation had been indefinite since Hamas and Israel agreed a ceasefire deal to carry out the first phase of the American administration's peace initiative.

It said humanitarian assistance would take place "free from intervention from the involved factions through the international bodies and their affiliates, and the Red Crescent, in addition to other worldwide bodies not linked whatsoever" with Hamas and Israel.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Monday that the foundation's closure would have "no impact" on its operations "because we never worked with them".

The official further mentioned that while increased relief was entering the region since the truce was implemented on October 10th, it was "insufficient to address all necessities" of the over two million inhabitants.