Controversial US-backed Gaza Relief Group Ends Relief Activities

Humanitarian work in the region
The foundation previously paused its food distribution centers in Gaza after the halt in hostilities was implemented six weeks ago

The controversial, American and Israeli-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) declares it is winding down its humanitarian work in the affected area, after almost six months.

The group had earlier paused its three food distribution sites in Gaza following the truce agreement between Hamas and Israel took effect recently.

The foundation sought to bypass the UN as the main supplier of humanitarian assistance to Gazans.

United Nations organizations and other humanitarian groups refused to co-operate with its system, saying it was unethical and unsafe.

Numerous Gazans were lost their lives while attempting to obtain sustenance amid disorderly situations near the organization's distribution points, mostly by Israeli fire, as reported by United Nations.

Israeli authorities stated its troops fired warning shots.

Mission Completion

The foundation announced on the beginning of the week that it was concluding activities now because of the "effective conclusion of its emergency mission", with a cumulative three million shipments containing the equivalent of more than 187 million meals provided to residents.

The GHF's executive director, the foundation leader, also said the United States-operated coordination body - which has been created to help execute US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan - would be "adopting and expanding 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 convincing militant groups to participate and achieving a ceasefire."

Reactions and Responses

Hamas - which denies stealing aid - approved the termination of the humanitarian foundation, based on information.

A representative of said the foundation should be held accountable for the harm it caused to local residents.

"We call upon all worldwide humanitarian bodies to make certain that consequences are faced after causing the death and injury of many residents and concealing the starvation policy practised by the Israeli authorities."

Operational Background

The organization commenced activities in Gaza on late May, a seven days following Israel had partially eased a comprehensive closure on aid and commercial deliveries to Gaza that continued for 77 days and resulted in critical deficits of necessary provisions.

After 90 days, a nutritional emergency was proclaimed in the Gaza metropolitan area.

The foundation's nourishment distribution centers in the southern and middle regions of Gaza were managed by US private security contractors and positioned in Israeli military zones.

Relief Agency Issues

International organizations and their affiliates stated the system contravened the basic relief guidelines of neutrality, impartiality and independence, and that channelling desperate people into military-controlled areas was inherently unsafe.

United Nations human rights division stated it documented the killing of at least 859 Palestinians trying to acquire sustenance in the vicinity of GHF sites between 26 May and 31 July.

An additional 514 individuals were killed near the courses followed by international humanitarian deliveries, it added.

The majority of these individuals were lost their lives due to the Israeli military, as per the organization's documentation.

Conflicting Accounts

Israeli defense forces claimed its forces had released alerting fire at individuals who came near them in a "intimidating" fashion.

The foundation stated there were no shootings at the relief locations and accused the UN of using "false and misleading" statistics from the Gazan medical department controlled by militant factions.

Subsequent Developments

The GHF's future had been uncertain since Palestinian factions and Israeli authorities consented a ceasefire deal to carry out the primary segment of the United States' reconciliation proposal.

The agreement stated relief provision would take place "free from intervention from the both sides through the international bodies and their affiliates, and the Red Crescent, in combination with other worldwide bodies not associated in any manner" with Hamas and Israel.

UN spokesperson the UN spokesman said on Monday that the foundation's closure would have "no impact" on its activities "as we never partnered with them".

The spokesperson additionally stated that while more aid was getting into Gaza since the truce was implemented on 10 October, it was "not enough to address all necessities" of the 2.1 million residents.

Christine Rodriguez
Christine Rodriguez

A passionate gamer and esports journalist with over a decade of experience covering competitive gaming scenes worldwide.