Controversial American-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Ends Humanitarian Work
The debated, American and Israeli-supported GHF aid organization says it is terminating its aid operations in the Palestinian territory, following nearly half a year.
The group had previously halted its several relief locations in Gaza after the halt in hostilities between Palestinian factions and Israel took effect recently.
The organization attempted to circumvent United Nations channels as the chief distributor of aid to Gaza's population.
UN and other aid agencies declined to participate with its methodology, saying it was unethical and unsafe.
Hundreds of Palestinians were fatally wounded while trying to acquire nourishment amid turbulent circumstances near GHF's sites, mainly through Israeli military action, as reported by United Nations.
Israel said its troops fired alerting fire.
Program Termination
The foundation announced on Monday that it was terminating work now because of the "effective conclusion of its emergency mission", with a aggregate of 3 million parcels containing the corresponding to over 187 million food portions delivered to Palestinians.
The organization's top administrator, the executive director, further mentioned the US-led Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) - which has been set up to help implement the American administration's Gaza initiative - would be "implementing and enlarging the approach the organization demonstrated".
"The organization's system, in which Palestinian factions were unable to divert and benefit from humanitarian assistance, had major impact in bringing Palestinian factions to negotiations and establishing a truce."
Feedback and Statements
The Palestinian faction - which refutes aid diversion claims - welcomed the closure of the humanitarian foundation, based on information.
A spokesman for said the organization should be made responsible for the negative impact it created to local residents.
"We urge all international human rights organisations to make certain that consequences are faced after causing the death and injury of thousands of Gazans and concealing the nutritional restriction approach implemented by the Israeli authorities."
Organization Timeline
The organization commenced activities in Gaza on May 26th, 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.
After 90 days, a famine was declared in the Palestinian urban center.
The organization's sustenance provision locations in southern and central Gaza were managed by US private security contractors and positioned in areas controlled by Israeli forces.
Relief Agency Issues
United Nations agencies and their collaborators claimed the approach breached the fundamental humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence, and that directing needy individuals into armed forces regions 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 area surrounding organization centers between spring and summer months.
A further 514 persons were fatally wounded around the routes of UN and other aid convoys, it added.
The majority of these individuals were lost their lives due to the Israel's armed forces, according to the office.
Contrasting Reports
The Israeli military claimed its forces had fired warning shots at individuals who came near them in a "intimidating" way.
The GHF said there were no shooting events at the aid sites and alleged that United Nations of using "false and misleading" figures from the Palestinian health authority administered by Hamas.
Future Implications
The GHF's future had been unclear since Palestinian factions and Israeli authorities consented a ceasefire deal to implement the initial stage of the United States' reconciliation proposal.
It said aid distribution would take place "free from intervention from the two parties through the UN organizations and their partners, and the humanitarian medical organization, in addition to other worldwide bodies not linked whatsoever" with militant groups and the Israeli government.
United Nations representative the UN spokesman stated recently that the GHF's shutdown would have "zero effect" on its work "because we never worked with them".
He also said that while additional assistance was reaching the Palestinian territory since the halt in hostilities began on October 10th, it was "inadequate to satisfy all requirements" of the 2.1 million residents.