Disputed US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Ends Relief Activities
The debated, US and Israel-backed GHF aid organization says it is concluding its aid operations in the Palestinian territory, after almost six months.
The organisation had earlier paused its three food distribution sites in Gaza subsequent to the truce agreement between Hamas and Israel was implemented six weeks ago.
The organization attempted to bypass the UN as the chief distributor of humanitarian assistance to Gazans.
International relief agencies declined to participate with its approach, claiming it was improper and dangerous.
Hundreds of Palestinians were fatally wounded while seeking food amid turbulent circumstances near the organization's distribution points, primarily from Israeli forces, according to the UN.
Israel said its forces fired alerting fire.
Operation Conclusion
The organization declared on Monday that it was concluding activities now because of the "effective conclusion of its emergency mission", with a cumulative three million shipments containing the amounting to in excess of 187 million sustenance units delivered to Palestinians.
The foundation's chief officer, the executive director, additionally stated the US-led Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) - which has been created to help implement the American administration's Gaza initiative - would be "adopting and expanding the system the foundation tested".
"GHF's model, in which Palestinian factions were unable to divert and benefit from humanitarian assistance, was significantly influential in bringing Palestinian factions to negotiations and securing a halt in hostilities."
Feedback and Statements
Hamas - which denies stealing aid - welcomed the closure of the humanitarian foundation, according to reports.
An official from said the foundation should be held accountable for the harm it caused to local residents.
"We request all worldwide humanitarian bodies to ensure that it does not escape accountability after resulting in fatalities and harm of thousands of Gazans and concealing the food deprivation strategy employed by the Israeli government."
Operational Background
The GHF began operations in Gaza on 26 May, a seven days following Israel had partially eased a comprehensive closure on humanitarian and trade shipments to Gaza that persisted for nearly three months and resulted in critical deficits of vital resources.
Three months later, a food crisis was announced in the Gaza metropolitan area.
The GHF's food distribution sites in various parts of the Palestinian territory were managed by United States-based protection companies and located inside areas controlled by Israeli forces.
Aid Organization Objections
The UN and its partners said the approach violated the fundamental humanitarian principles of non-partisanship, even-handedness and self-determination, and that channelling desperate people into military-controlled areas was intrinsically hazardous.
International human rights monitoring body reported it tracked the deaths of a minimum of 859 residents trying to acquire sustenance in the proximity to foundation locations between late May through end of July.
A further 514 persons were lost their lives close to the paths taken by United Nations and additional relief shipments, it added.
Most of them were fatally wounded by the Israeli forces, based on the agency's reports.
Conflicting Accounts
Israel's armed services said its soldiers had discharged cautionary rounds at persons who advanced toward them in a "intimidating" manner.
The organization declared there were no firearm incidents at the aid sites and alleged that United Nations of using "inaccurate and deceptive" data 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 carry out the initial stage of the United States' reconciliation proposal.
It said relief provision would take place "free from intervention from the involved factions through the UN organizations and their partners, and the humanitarian medical organization, in addition to other worldwide bodies not linked whatsoever" with Hamas and Israel.
International organization official Stephane Dujarric stated recently that the GHF's shutdown would have "no influence" on its work "as we never partnered with them".
The official further mentioned that while additional assistance was reaching the Palestinian territory since the ceasefire took effect on early October, it was "inadequate to address all necessities" of the 2.1 million population.