🔗 Share this article Disputed United States-funded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Concludes Humanitarian Work The GHF had paused its aid distribution sites in Gaza after the ceasefire took effect last month The controversial, United States and Israel-funded GHF aid organization says it is concluding its humanitarian work in the Palestinian territory, after almost six months. The foundation had earlier paused its multiple aid distribution centers in Gaza after the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took effect six weeks ago. The organization attempted to circumvent United Nations channels as the primary provider of aid to Gaza's population. UN and other aid agencies would not collaborate with its approach, saying it was unethical and unsafe. Numerous Gazans were fatally wounded while attempting to obtain sustenance amid disorderly situations near GHF's sites, mostly by Israeli fire, according to the UN. Israeli authorities stated its forces fired alerting fire. Operation Conclusion The GHF said on recently that it was concluding activities now because of the "successful completion of its emergency mission", with a aggregate of 3 million parcels containing the corresponding to over 187 million food portions distributed to Gazans. The foundation's chief officer, Jon Acree, additionally stated the United States-operated coordination body - which has been set up to help implement the United States' Palestinian peace proposal - would be "implementing and enlarging the approach the organization demonstrated". "The foundation's approach, in which militant groups were prevented from misappropriating relief supplies, was significantly influential in convincing militant groups to participate and achieving a ceasefire." Reactions and Responses The militant group - which disputes allegations of misappropriation - supported the shutdown of the humanitarian foundation, as indicated by media. A representative of said the organization should be held accountable for the negative impact it created to local residents. "We urge all worldwide humanitarian bodies to ensure that it does not escape accountability after resulting in fatalities and harm of thousands of Gazans and obscuring the nutritional restriction approach practised by the Israel's administration." Foundation History The GHF began operations in Gaza on late May, a seven days following the Israeli government had moderately reduced a complete restriction on humanitarian and trade shipments to Gaza that lasted 11 weeks and caused severe shortages of necessary provisions. After 90 days, a food crisis was announced in the Palestinian urban center. The GHF's food distribution sites in southern and central Gaza were operated by United States-based protection companies and situated within Israeli military zones. Aid Organization Objections International organizations and their affiliates claimed the system breached the fundamental humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence, and that directing needy individuals into armed forces regions was inherently unsafe. United Nations human rights division stated it documented the killing of at least 859 Palestinians trying to acquire sustenance in the vicinity of GHF sites between spring and summer months. A further 514 persons were lost their lives close to the courses followed by international humanitarian deliveries, it further stated. The majority of these individuals were killed by the Israeli forces, as per the organization's documentation. Divergent Narratives The Israeli military said its forces had fired warning shots at people who approached them in a "threatening" manner. The foundation stated there were no firearm incidents at the relief locations and alleged that United Nations of using "inaccurate and deceptive" data from the Palestinian health authority administered by Hamas. Ongoing Situation The GHF's future had been uncertain since Palestinian factions and Israeli authorities consented a ceasefire deal to implement the primary segment of the American administration's peace initiative. The agreement stated aid distribution would take place "free from intervention from the both sides through the United Nations and its agencies, and the Red Crescent, in addition to other international institutions not connected in any way" with Hamas and Israel. United Nations representative the UN spokesman declared this week that the foundation's closure would have "no influence" on its operations "since we never collaborated with them". The official further mentioned that while more aid was getting into Gaza since the ceasefire took effect on 10 October, it was "insufficient to meet all the needs" of the 2.1 million residents.