🔗 Share this article Debated American-supported Gaza Relief Group Terminates Humanitarian Work This organization had suspended its relief locations in Gaza following the halt in hostilities took effect last month The debated, US and Israel-backed Gaza relief foundation declares it is winding down its humanitarian work in the Palestinian territory, after almost six months. The foundation had previously halted its three food distribution sites in Gaza following the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel was implemented six weeks ago. The foundation sought to bypass the UN as the primary provider of aid to Gaza's population. International relief agencies declined to participate with its system, stating it was improper and dangerous. Many residents were lost their lives while attempting to obtain sustenance amid disorderly situations near the foundation's locations, primarily from Israeli forces, based on UN documentation. Israel said its troops fired cautionary rounds. Operation Conclusion The organization declared on Monday that it was winding down operations now because of the "successful completion of its crisis response", with a total of three million packages containing the amounting to in excess of 187 million sustenance units delivered to Palestinians. The organization's top administrator, the executive director, also said the American-directed Civil-Military Coordination Center - which has been set up to help execute US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan - would be "implementing and enlarging the system the foundation tested". "The foundation's approach, in which Hamas could no longer loot and profit from stealing aid, was significantly influential in convincing militant groups to participate and securing a halt in hostilities." Feedback and Statements Hamas - which denies stealing aid - welcomed the closure of the GHF, according to reports. A spokesman for said GHF should be subject to scrutiny for the harm it caused to Palestinians. "We call upon all worldwide humanitarian bodies to guarantee that responsibility is assigned after resulting in fatalities and harm of many residents and obscuring the starvation policy implemented by the Israeli authorities." Foundation History The GHF began operations in Gaza on late May, a seven days following Israel had partially eased a comprehensive closure on aid and commercial deliveries to Gaza that persisted for nearly three months and led to substantial deficiencies of essential supplies. After 90 days, a nutritional emergency was proclaimed in Gaza City. The GHF's food distribution sites in the southern and middle regions of Gaza were operated by American private security firms and located inside regions under Israeli military authority. Humanitarian Concerns The UN and its partners claimed the methodology breached the basic relief guidelines of non-partisanship, even-handedness and self-determination, and that directing needy individuals into militarised zones was inherently unsafe. The UN's human rights office reported it tracked the deaths of a minimum of 859 residents attempting to obtain nourishment in the area surrounding organization centers between late May through end of July. An additional 514 individuals were fatally wounded around the courses followed by international humanitarian deliveries, it further stated. The majority of these individuals were killed by the Israeli forces, according to the office. Conflicting Accounts The Israeli military stated its soldiers had fired warning shots at people who approached them in a "menacing" way. The organization declared there were no shootings at the distribution centers and alleged that United Nations of using "inaccurate and deceptive" figures from Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry. Future Implications The GHF's future had been uncertain since Hamas and Israel agreed a halt in hostilities arrangement to execute the first phase of the American administration's peace initiative. The agreement stated humanitarian assistance would take place "free from intervention from the two parties through the United Nations and its agencies, and the international relief society, in conjunction with 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 impact" on its operations "because we never worked 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 "not enough to address all necessities" of the over two million inhabitants.