Controversial US-backed GHF Aid Organization Ends Humanitarian Work
The controversial, United States and Israel-funded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) announces it is winding down its relief activities in the Palestinian territory, following nearly half a year.
The organisation had earlier paused its three food distribution sites in Gaza subsequent to the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel was implemented recently.
The GHF aimed to avoid UN systems as the main supplier of relief to Palestinian residents.
UN and other aid agencies refused to co-operate with its system, stating it was unethical and unsafe.
Many residents were killed while trying to acquire nourishment amid turbulent circumstances near GHF's sites, primarily from Israeli forces, as reported by United Nations.
Israel said its soldiers fired cautionary rounds.
Mission Completion
The GHF said on the beginning of the week that it was winding down operations now because of the "successful completion of its humanitarian effort", with a total of three million packages containing the equivalent of more than 187 million meals delivered to Palestinians.
The organization's top administrator, Jon Acree, further mentioned the American-directed Civil-Military Coordination Center - which has been set up to help implement the United States' Palestinian peace proposal - would be "taking over and developing the approach the organization demonstrated".
"The foundation's approach, in which militant groups were prevented from misappropriating relief supplies, had major impact in convincing militant groups to participate and securing a halt in hostilities."
Comments and Positions
The militant group - which disputes allegations of misappropriation - supported the shutdown of the GHF, as indicated by media.
A representative of said GHF should be held accountable for the negative impact it created to local residents.
"We call upon 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 practised by the Israeli government."
Operational Background
The foundation started work in Gaza on late May, a seven days following Israeli authorities had somewhat relaxed a total blockade on aid and commercial deliveries to Gaza that continued for 77 days and resulted in critical deficits of necessary provisions.
Three months later, a famine was declared in Gaza City.
The foundation's nourishment distribution centers in the southern and middle regions of Gaza were administered by United States-based protection companies and located inside regions under Israeli military authority.
Relief Agency Issues
United Nations agencies and their collaborators said the approach violated the basic relief guidelines of neutrality, impartiality and independence, and that directing needy individuals into armed forces regions was intrinsically hazardous.
International human rights monitoring body said it recorded the fatalities of no fewer than 859 Gazans trying to acquire sustenance in the vicinity of GHF sites between spring and summer months.
Another 514 people were killed near the courses followed by international humanitarian deliveries, it further stated.
Most of them were lost their lives due to the Israeli military, based on the agency's reports.
Contrasting Reports
Israeli defense forces said its troops had fired warning shots at people who approached them in a "menacing" fashion.
The organization declared there were no firearm incidents at the relief locations and claimed the international organization of using "untrue and confusing" figures from the Palestinian health authority administered by Hamas.
Ongoing Situation
The organization's continuation had been uncertain since militant groups and the Israeli government approved a ceasefire deal to carry out the initial stage of Trump's peace plan.
It said relief provision would take place "free from intervention from the involved factions through the United Nations and its agencies, and the humanitarian medical organization, in combination with other worldwide bodies not associated in any manner" with Palestinian factions and Israeli authorities.
UN spokesperson the international body's communicator said on Monday that the organization's termination would have "zero effect" on its activities "because we never worked with them".
He also said that while additional assistance was reaching the Palestinian territory since the ceasefire took effect on October 10th, it was "inadequate to address all necessities" of the over two million inhabitants.