Controversial US-backed Gaza Relief Group Ends Humanitarian Work
The controversial, United States and Israel-funded Gaza relief foundation announces it is terminating its relief activities in the affected area, following nearly half a year.
The foundation had previously halted its multiple aid distribution centers in Gaza after the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took effect six weeks ago.
The organization attempted to circumvent United Nations channels as the primary provider of aid to Gaza's population.
United Nations organizations and other humanitarian groups declined to participate with its methodology, claiming it was unethical and unsafe.
Numerous Gazans were killed while seeking food amid turbulent circumstances near GHF's sites, mostly by Israeli fire, based on UN documentation.
Israel said its troops fired alerting fire.
Operation Conclusion
The GHF said on Monday that it was concluding activities now because of the "effective conclusion of its humanitarian effort", with a aggregate of 3 million parcels containing the amounting to in excess of 187 million sustenance units provided to residents.
The foundation's chief officer, the executive director, further mentioned the US-led Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) - which has been established to help carry out the United States' Palestinian peace proposal - would be "implementing and enlarging the system the foundation tested".
"The organization's system, in which militant groups were prevented from misappropriating relief supplies, was significantly influential in getting Hamas to the table and achieving a ceasefire."
Reactions and Responses
Hamas - which denies stealing aid - approved the termination of the humanitarian foundation, according to reports.
An official from stated the organization should be subject to scrutiny for the harm it caused to local residents.
"We request all worldwide humanitarian bodies to ensure that it does not escape accountability after leading to casualties and wounds of thousands of Gazans and concealing the nutritional restriction approach employed by the Israel's administration."
Operational Background
The GHF began operations in Gaza on 26 May, a week after Israel had partially eased a complete restriction on aid and commercial deliveries to Gaza that lasted 11 weeks and led to substantial deficiencies of essential supplies.
Three months later, a famine was declared in the Gaza metropolitan area.
The GHF's food distribution sites in various parts of the Palestinian territory were managed by United States-based protection companies and situated within Israeli military zones.
Relief Agency Issues
The UN and its partners said the methodology breached the fundamental humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence, and that channelling desperate people into armed forces regions was intrinsically hazardous.
United Nations human rights division 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 also mentioned.
The greater part of these people were killed by the Israel's armed forces, according to the office.
Divergent Narratives
Israeli defense forces said its troops had released alerting fire at persons who advanced toward them in a "menacing" manner.
The GHF said there were no firearm incidents at the aid sites and accused the UN of using "false and misleading" data from Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.
Subsequent Developments
The GHF's future had been indefinite since Hamas and Israel agreed a ceasefire deal to implement the first phase of the American administration's peace initiative.
The arrangement specified aid distribution would take place "without interference from the both sides through the international bodies and their affiliates, and the international relief society, in addition to other worldwide bodies not connected in any way" with Palestinian factions and Israeli authorities.
International organization official the international body's communicator stated recently that the GHF's shutdown would have "no influence" on its operations "as we never partnered 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 meet all the needs" of the over two million inhabitants.