Debated US-backed GHF Aid Organization Concludes Relief Activities
The disputed, United States and Israel-funded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) announces it is terminating its aid operations in the affected area, following nearly half a year.
The foundation had previously halted its multiple aid distribution centers in Gaza after the truce agreement between Hamas and Israel came into force in recent weeks.
The foundation sought to avoid UN systems as the chief distributor of relief to Palestinian residents.
United Nations organizations and other humanitarian groups refused to co-operate with its system, saying it was questionable and hazardous.
Hundreds of Palestinians were fatally wounded while attempting to obtain sustenance amid chaotic scenes near the foundation's locations, mostly by Israeli fire, as reported by United Nations.
Israeli authorities stated its troops fired alerting fire.
Mission Completion
The foundation announced on Monday that it was winding down operations now because of the "satisfactory fulfillment of its emergency mission", with a total of three million packages containing the equivalent of more than 187 million meals provided to residents.
The foundation's chief officer, the foundation leader, further mentioned the American-directed Civil-Military Coordination Center - which has been established to help execute the United States' Palestinian peace proposal - would be "implementing and enlarging the model GHF piloted".
"The organization's system, in which Palestinian factions were unable to divert and benefit from humanitarian assistance, had major impact 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, based on information.
A spokesman for said GHF should be made responsible for the damage it inflicted to Palestinians.
"We call upon all worldwide humanitarian bodies to make certain that consequences are faced after leading to casualties and wounds of many residents and obscuring the nutritional restriction approach practised by the Israeli government."
Organization Timeline
The foundation started work in Gaza on May 26th, a short period subsequent to the Israeli government had moderately reduced a complete restriction on humanitarian and trade shipments to Gaza that lasted 11 weeks and resulted in critical deficits of necessary provisions.
Subsequently, a famine was declared in Gaza City.
The foundation's nourishment distribution centers in the southern and middle regions of Gaza were managed by US private security contractors and positioned in areas controlled by Israeli forces.
Relief Agency Issues
The UN and its partners stated the approach breached the fundamental humanitarian principles of non-partisanship, even-handedness and self-determination, and that guiding distressed residents into militarised zones was fundamentally dangerous.
The UN's human rights office stated it documented the deaths of a minimum of 859 residents trying to acquire sustenance in the vicinity of GHF sites between late May through end of July.
An additional 514 individuals were killed near the courses followed by international humanitarian deliveries, it added.
The majority of these individuals were killed by the Israeli forces, according to the office.
Contrasting Reports
Israel's armed services claimed its forces had released alerting fire at individuals who came near them in a "threatening" way.
The organization declared there were no shootings at the relief locations and alleged that United Nations of using "false and misleading" data from the Gazan medical department controlled by militant factions.
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 the American administration's peace initiative.
The arrangement specified humanitarian assistance would take place "absent meddling from the involved factions through the UN organizations and their partners, and the humanitarian medical organization, in conjunction with other international institutions not associated in any manner" with militant groups and the Israeli government.
International organization official the UN spokesman said on Monday that the foundation's closure would have "zero effect" on its operations "as we never partnered with them".
He also said that while increased relief was entering the region since the ceasefire took effect on 10 October, it was "not enough to address all necessities" of the 2.1 million residents.