Controversial US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Concludes Humanitarian Work

Relief operations in the region
This organization had halted its aid distribution sites in Gaza following the halt in hostilities took effect last month

The controversial, US and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) declares it is terminating its relief activities in the Palestinian territory, subsequent to approximately 180 days.

The organisation had earlier paused its several relief locations in Gaza after the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel was implemented in recent weeks.

The foundation sought to circumvent United Nations channels as the primary provider of relief to Palestinian residents.

International relief agencies refused to co-operate with its system, saying it was questionable and hazardous.

Numerous Gazans were killed while attempting to obtain sustenance amid chaotic scenes near the organization's distribution points, primarily from Israeli forces, based on UN documentation.

Israel said its troops fired cautionary rounds.

Program Termination

The organization declared on recently that it was winding down operations now because of the "effective conclusion of its emergency mission", with a aggregate of 3 million parcels containing the amounting to in excess of 187 million sustenance units provided to residents.

The organization's top administrator, the foundation leader, also said the United States-operated coordination body - which has been created to help carry out US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan - would be "taking over and developing the approach the organization demonstrated".

"GHF's model, in which militant groups were prevented from misappropriating relief supplies, played a huge role in getting Hamas to the table and securing a halt in hostilities."

Feedback and Statements

Hamas - which denies stealing aid - approved the termination of the humanitarian foundation, based on information.

A representative of said the organization should be held accountable for the harm it caused to local residents.

"We request all international human rights organisations to ensure that it does not escape accountability after leading to casualties and wounds of many residents and concealing the starvation policy employed by the Israel's administration."

Organization Timeline

The foundation started work in Gaza on late May, a short period subsequent to the Israeli government had moderately reduced a comprehensive closure on aid and commercial deliveries to Gaza that lasted 11 weeks and resulted in critical deficits of essential supplies.

Subsequently, a food crisis was announced in the Gaza metropolitan area.

The GHF's food distribution sites in the southern and middle regions of Gaza were managed by US private security contractors and located inside Israeli military zones.

Relief Agency Issues

International organizations and their affiliates said the approach breached the basic relief guidelines of neutrality, impartiality and independence, and that guiding distressed residents into militarised zones was intrinsically hazardous.

The UN's human rights office reported it tracked the killing of at least 859 Palestinians seeking food in the area surrounding organization centers between 26 May and 31 July.

Another 514 people were lost their lives close to the paths taken by United Nations and additional relief shipments, it also mentioned.

The majority of these individuals were killed by the Israeli forces, according to the office.

Conflicting Accounts

Israeli defense forces said its soldiers had released alerting fire at persons who advanced toward them in a "intimidating" way.

The foundation stated there were no firearm incidents at the distribution centers and accused the UN of using "inaccurate and deceptive" statistics from the Gazan medical department controlled by militant factions.

Future Implications

The organization's continuation had been unclear since militant groups and the Israeli government approved a ceasefire deal to execute the initial stage of the American administration's peace initiative.

The agreement stated humanitarian assistance would take place "absent meddling from the two parties through the UN organizations and their partners, and the humanitarian medical organization, in conjunction with other international institutions not connected in any way" with militant groups and the Israeli government.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Monday that the foundation's closure would have "no influence" on its work "since we never collaborated with them".

The spokesperson additionally stated that while additional assistance was reaching the Palestinian territory since the halt in hostilities began on 10 October, it was "insufficient to address all necessities" of the over two million inhabitants.

Alejandro Johnson
Alejandro Johnson

Lena is a passionate adventurer and travel writer, exploring remote trails and sharing insights on sustainable outdoor experiences.