Debated US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Ends Humanitarian Work
The controversial, US and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) says it is terminating its aid operations in the Palestinian territory, following nearly half a year.
The organisation had previously halted its three food distribution sites in Gaza subsequent to the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel was implemented in recent weeks.
The organization attempted to bypass the UN as the main supplier of aid to Gaza's population.
International relief agencies declined to participate with its methodology, claiming it was improper and dangerous.
Hundreds of Palestinians were killed while trying to acquire nourishment amid disorderly situations near GHF's sites, primarily from Israeli forces, according to the UN.
Israel said its forces fired warning shots.
Mission Completion
The GHF said on the beginning of the week that it was concluding activities now because of the "effective conclusion of its emergency mission", with a total of three million packages containing the amounting to in excess of 187 million sustenance units distributed to Gazans.
The foundation's chief officer, the executive director, also said the American-directed Civil-Military Coordination Center - which has been established to help implement the United States' Palestinian peace proposal - would be "taking over and developing the approach the organization demonstrated".
"The organization's system, in which Palestinian factions were unable to divert and benefit from humanitarian assistance, was significantly influential in bringing Palestinian factions to negotiations and establishing a truce."
Feedback and Statements
The Palestinian faction - which refutes aid diversion claims - approved the termination of the GHF, as indicated by media.
A spokesman for stated the organization should be subject to scrutiny for the harm it caused to Gazans.
"We call upon all worldwide humanitarian bodies to ensure that it does not escape accountability after causing the death and injury of thousands of Gazans and obscuring the nutritional restriction approach practised by the Israel's administration."
Operational Background
The GHF began operations in Gaza on May 26th, a week after Israel had partially eased a comprehensive closure on relief and commercial goods to Gaza that lasted 11 weeks and resulted in critical deficits of necessary provisions.
Subsequently, a nutritional emergency was proclaimed in the Palestinian urban center.
The GHF's food distribution sites in southern and central Gaza were operated by American private security firms and positioned in areas controlled by Israeli forces.
Humanitarian Concerns
United Nations agencies and their collaborators claimed the approach contravened the core assistance standards of neutrality, impartiality and independence, and that directing needy individuals into militarised zones was intrinsically hazardous.
The UN's human rights office said it recorded the killing of at least 859 Palestinians attempting to obtain nourishment in the vicinity of GHF sites between spring and summer months.
A further 514 persons were fatally wounded around the routes of UN and other aid convoys, it further stated.
The greater part of these people were lost their lives due to the Israeli forces, according to the office.
Divergent Narratives
The Israeli military said its soldiers had discharged cautionary rounds at people who approached them in a "intimidating" way.
The foundation stated there were no shootings at the relief locations and alleged that United Nations of using "untrue and confusing" data from Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.
Future Implications
The foundation's prospects had been indefinite since Hamas and Israel agreed a truce agreement to implement the first phase of the United States' reconciliation proposal.
The arrangement specified humanitarian assistance would take place "absent meddling from the both sides through the United Nations and its agencies, and the international relief society, in combination with other global organizations not connected in any way" with militant groups and the Israeli government.
International organization official Stephane Dujarric stated recently that the foundation's closure would have "no impact" on its activities "because we never worked with them".
The official further mentioned that while more aid was getting into Gaza since the ceasefire took effect on 10 October, it was "insufficient to meet all the needs" of the 2.1 million residents.