Disputed US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Terminates Humanitarian Work
The debated, United States and Israel-funded GHF aid organization says it is terminating its relief activities in the Palestinian territory, following nearly half a year.
The foundation had previously halted its three food distribution sites in Gaza after the halt in hostilities between Palestinian factions and Israel came into force recently.
The foundation sought to avoid UN systems as the chief distributor of aid to Gaza's population.
International relief agencies refused to co-operate with its system, claiming it was questionable and hazardous.
Numerous Gazans were lost their lives while seeking food amid disorderly situations near GHF's sites, primarily from Israeli forces, based on UN documentation.
The Israeli military claimed its forces fired cautionary rounds.
Operation Conclusion
The GHF said on Monday that it was winding down operations now because of the "successful completion of its humanitarian effort", with a aggregate of 3 million parcels containing the equivalent of more than 187 million meals provided to residents.
The organization's top administrator, Jon Acree, further mentioned the United States-operated coordination body - which has been created to help implement US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan - would be "implementing and enlarging the approach the organization demonstrated".
"The organization's system, in which Hamas could no longer loot and profit from stealing aid, was significantly influential in convincing militant groups to participate and establishing a truce."
Reactions and Responses
The Palestinian faction - which refutes aid diversion claims - welcomed the closure of the aid organization, according to reports.
A spokesman for stated GHF should be made responsible for the negative impact it created to Palestinians.
"We call upon all worldwide humanitarian bodies to ensure that it does not escape accountability after leading to casualties and wounds of numerous Palestinians and covering up the nutritional restriction approach practised by the Israel's administration."
Operational Background
The organization commenced activities in Gaza on late May, a short period subsequent to Israeli authorities had somewhat relaxed a comprehensive closure on aid and commercial deliveries to Gaza that continued for 77 days and caused severe shortages of necessary provisions.
After 90 days, a famine was declared in Gaza City.
The GHF's food distribution sites in southern and central Gaza were administered by United States-based protection companies and situated within Israeli military zones.
Humanitarian Concerns
United Nations agencies and their collaborators said the system violated the basic relief guidelines of non-partisanship, even-handedness and self-determination, and that directing needy individuals into military-controlled areas was inherently unsafe.
International human rights monitoring body stated it documented the deaths of a minimum of 859 residents attempting to obtain nourishment in the area surrounding organization centers between late May through end of July.
Another 514 people were fatally wounded around the courses followed by international humanitarian deliveries, it also mentioned.
The majority of these individuals were fatally wounded by the Israel's armed forces, according to the office.
Conflicting Accounts
The Israeli military stated its troops had fired warning shots at people who approached them in a "threatening" manner.
The GHF said there were no shooting events at the aid sites and accused the UN of using "inaccurate and deceptive" data from Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.
Future Implications
The GHF's future had been indefinite since militant groups and the Israeli government approved a truce agreement to execute the initial stage of the United States' reconciliation proposal.
It said aid distribution would take place "free from intervention from the involved factions through the United Nations and its agencies, and the international relief society, in combination with other global organizations not linked whatsoever" with Palestinian factions and Israeli authorities.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated recently that the organization's termination would have "no influence" on its work "as we never partnered with them".
The official further mentioned that while more aid was getting into Gaza since the ceasefire took effect on 10 October, it was "not enough to meet all the needs" of the over two million inhabitants.