🔗 Share this article Debated US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Ends Humanitarian Work The foundation previously halted its aid distribution sites in Gaza after the halt in hostilities came into force last month The controversial, US and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) announces it is winding down its humanitarian work in the Palestinian territory, following nearly half a year. The foundation had earlier paused its three food distribution sites in Gaza subsequent to the truce agreement between Hamas and Israel came into force recently. The GHF aimed to avoid UN systems as the main supplier of aid to Gaza's population. United Nations organizations and other humanitarian groups refused to co-operate with its system, stating it was questionable and hazardous. Hundreds of Palestinians were killed while attempting to obtain sustenance amid turbulent circumstances near GHF's sites, mostly by Israeli fire, based on UN documentation. The Israeli military claimed its troops fired warning shots. Mission Completion The GHF said on recently that it was concluding activities now because of the "effective conclusion of its emergency mission", with a total of three million packages containing the amounting to in excess of 187 million sustenance units provided to residents. The organization's top administrator, the foundation leader, additionally stated the United States-operated coordination body - which has been established to help implement US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan - would be "implementing and enlarging the model GHF piloted". "The organization's system, in which militant groups were prevented from misappropriating relief supplies, played a huge role in getting Hamas to the table and establishing a truce." Reactions and Responses Hamas - which denies stealing aid - approved the termination of the GHF, as indicated by media. An official from declared the organization should be held accountable for the damage it inflicted to local residents. "We call upon all international human rights organisations to guarantee that responsibility is assigned after resulting in fatalities and harm of numerous Palestinians and covering up the food deprivation strategy employed by the Israeli government." Organization Timeline The GHF began operations in Gaza on May 26th, a week after Israeli authorities had somewhat relaxed a comprehensive closure on relief and commercial goods to Gaza that continued for 77 days and led to substantial deficiencies of necessary provisions. After 90 days, a nutritional emergency was proclaimed in Gaza City. The foundation's nourishment distribution centers in various parts of the Palestinian territory were administered by US private security contractors and located inside Israeli military zones. Humanitarian Concerns The UN and its partners stated the approach contravened the core assistance standards of non-partisanship, even-handedness and self-determination, and that guiding distressed residents into military-controlled areas was intrinsically hazardous. International human rights monitoring body reported it tracked the deaths of a minimum of 859 residents attempting to obtain nourishment in the area surrounding organization centers between spring and summer months. A further 514 persons were killed near the courses followed by international humanitarian deliveries, it also mentioned. The greater part of these people were lost their lives due to the Israeli forces, as per the organization's documentation. Contrasting Reports Israel's armed services stated its troops had fired warning shots at people who approached them in a "threatening" fashion. The GHF said there were no shootings at the relief locations and accused the UN of using "inaccurate and deceptive" statistics from the Gazan medical department controlled by militant factions. Ongoing Situation The organization's continuation had been indefinite since militant groups and the Israeli government approved a truce agreement to carry out the initial stage of Trump's peace plan. The agreement stated relief provision would take place "without interference from the both sides through the international bodies and their affiliates, and the humanitarian medical organization, in conjunction with other worldwide bodies not connected in any way" with Palestinian factions and Israeli authorities. UN spokesperson the international body's communicator said on Monday that the GHF's shutdown would have "zero effect" on its operations "since we never collaborated with them". The official further mentioned that while more aid was getting into Gaza since the halt in hostilities began on 10 October, it was "insufficient to address all necessities" of the over two million inhabitants.