🔗 Share this article Controversial US-backed GHF Aid Organization Ends Aid Operations The GHF had paused its relief locations in Gaza after the halt in hostilities was implemented six weeks ago The controversial, United States and Israel-funded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) says it is terminating its humanitarian work in the Palestinian territory, after almost six months. The organisation had previously halted its several relief locations in Gaza after the truce agreement between Hamas and Israel was implemented in recent weeks. The GHF aimed to avoid UN systems as the chief distributor of aid to Gaza's population. UN and other aid agencies declined to participate with its system, saying it was unethical and unsafe. Hundreds of Palestinians were fatally wounded while seeking food amid disorderly situations near the foundation's locations, mainly through Israeli military action, as reported by United Nations. Israeli authorities stated its soldiers fired alerting fire. Mission Completion The GHF said on Monday that it was terminating work now because of the "successful completion of its emergency mission", with a total of three million packages containing the corresponding to over 187 million food portions delivered to Palestinians. The organization's top administrator, the executive director, further mentioned the United States-operated coordination body - which has been set up to help implement US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan - would be "adopting and expanding the model GHF piloted". "The foundation's approach, in which Hamas could no longer loot and profit from stealing aid, had major impact in bringing Palestinian factions to negotiations and achieving a ceasefire." Comments and Positions The militant group - which disputes allegations of misappropriation - welcomed the closure of the humanitarian foundation, as indicated by media. An official from stated the foundation should be held accountable for the negative impact it created to Palestinians. "We request all international human rights organisations to ensure that it does not escape accountability after leading to casualties and wounds of thousands of Gazans and covering up the starvation policy practised by the Israeli government." 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 lasted 11 weeks and caused severe shortages of vital resources. After 90 days, a food crisis was announced in the Gaza metropolitan area. The organization's sustenance provision locations in the southern and middle regions of Gaza were operated by United States-based protection companies and located inside Israeli military zones. Aid Organization Objections The UN and its partners stated the approach violated the basic relief guidelines of non-partisanship, even-handedness and self-determination, 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 proximity to foundation locations between spring and summer months. An additional 514 individuals were killed near the paths taken by United Nations and additional relief shipments, it added. The majority of these individuals were fatally wounded by the Israel's armed forces, according to the office. Conflicting Accounts Israeli defense forces stated its soldiers had released alerting fire at people who approached them in a "intimidating" way. The organization declared there were no firearm incidents at the relief locations and accused the UN of using "inaccurate and deceptive" figures from the Gazan medical department controlled by militant factions. Ongoing Situation The foundation's prospects had been unclear since militant groups and the Israeli government approved a ceasefire deal to execute the initial stage of the United States' reconciliation proposal. The arrangement specified humanitarian assistance would take place "without interference from the two parties through the international bodies and their affiliates, and the Red Crescent, in addition to other international institutions not linked whatsoever" with Hamas and Israel. UN spokesperson the UN spokesman stated recently that the organization's termination would have "no influence" on its operations "since we never collaborated with them". The spokesperson additionally stated that while additional assistance was reaching the Palestinian territory since the halt in hostilities began on early October, it was "insufficient to satisfy all requirements" of the 2.1 million population.