Debated American-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Concludes Humanitarian Work
The controversial, American and Israeli-supported GHF aid organization announces it is concluding its aid operations in the Gaza region, following nearly half a year.
The group had earlier paused its three food distribution sites in Gaza subsequent to the truce agreement between Hamas and Israel came into force in recent weeks.
The organization attempted to bypass the UN as the main supplier of relief to Palestinian residents.
UN and other aid agencies declined to participate with its methodology, claiming it was improper and dangerous.
Hundreds of Palestinians were lost their lives while trying to acquire nourishment amid disorderly situations near the organization's distribution points, mostly by Israeli fire, according to the UN.
The Israeli military claimed its forces fired warning shots.
Mission Completion
The organization declared on the beginning of the week that it was terminating work now because of the "effective conclusion of its emergency mission", with a total of three million packages containing the equivalent of more than 187 million meals distributed to Gazans.
The organization's top administrator, the executive director, also said the US-led Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) - which has been established to help implement the American administration's Gaza initiative - would be "taking over and developing the system the foundation tested".
"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
Hamas - which denies stealing aid - welcomed the closure of the aid organization, as indicated by media.
A representative of declared GHF should be made responsible for the damage it inflicted to Palestinians.
"We request all global human rights groups to make certain that consequences are faced after causing the death and injury of numerous Palestinians and concealing the food deprivation strategy implemented by the Israeli government."
Foundation History
The organization commenced activities in Gaza on late May, a short period subsequent to the Israeli government had moderately reduced a comprehensive closure on humanitarian and trade shipments to Gaza that persisted for nearly three months and resulted in critical deficits of essential supplies.
Three months later, a food crisis was announced in the Palestinian urban center.
The GHF's food distribution sites in the southern and middle regions of Gaza were operated by United States-based protection companies and located inside Israeli military zones.
Relief Agency Issues
International organizations and their affiliates said the system violated the fundamental humanitarian principles of objectivity, fairness and autonomy, and that directing needy individuals into military-controlled areas was fundamentally dangerous.
United Nations human rights division reported it tracked the fatalities of no fewer than 859 Gazans trying to acquire sustenance in the vicinity of GHF sites between 26 May and 31 July.
A further 514 persons were lost their lives close to the courses followed by international humanitarian deliveries, it further stated.
The greater part of these people were fatally wounded by the Israeli military, based on the agency's reports.
Contrasting Reports
Israeli defense forces claimed its forces had discharged cautionary rounds at individuals who came near them in a "menacing" fashion.
The GHF said there were no shootings at the relief locations and claimed the international organization of using "false and misleading" figures from the Gazan medical department controlled by militant factions.
Ongoing Situation
The GHF's future had been unclear since Palestinian factions and Israeli authorities consented a truce agreement to implement the first phase of the United States' reconciliation proposal.
The arrangement specified humanitarian assistance would take place "absent meddling from the both sides through the international bodies and their affiliates, and the international relief society, in combination with other global organizations not associated in any manner" with Hamas and Israel.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Monday that the organization's termination would have "no impact" on its operations "since we never collaborated with them".
The spokesperson additionally stated that while additional assistance was reaching the Palestinian territory since the ceasefire took effect on 10 October, it was "insufficient to meet all the needs" of the over two million inhabitants.