🔗 Share this article Debated American-supported Gaza Relief Group Terminates Aid Operations The GHF had paused its food distribution centers in Gaza after the truce came into force last month The controversial, US and Israel-backed GHF aid organization says it is winding down its relief activities in the affected area, subsequent to approximately 180 days. The foundation had earlier paused its several relief locations in Gaza following the halt in hostilities between Palestinian factions and Israel took effect six weeks ago. The foundation sought 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 system, saying it was questionable and hazardous. Many residents were killed while seeking food amid turbulent circumstances near GHF's sites, primarily from Israeli forces, as reported by United Nations. Israeli authorities stated its soldiers fired cautionary rounds. Program Termination The foundation announced on the beginning of the week that it was winding down operations now because of the "effective conclusion of its humanitarian effort", with a cumulative three million shipments containing the corresponding to over 187 million food portions provided to residents. The foundation's chief officer, Jon Acree, further mentioned the American-directed Civil-Military Coordination Center - which has been created to help execute the American administration's Gaza initiative - would be "implementing and enlarging the system the foundation tested". "The foundation's approach, in which Hamas could no longer loot and profit from stealing aid, had major impact in convincing militant groups to participate and establishing a truce." Reactions and Responses The Palestinian faction - which refutes aid diversion claims - approved the termination of the GHF, based on information. A representative of stated the organization should be held accountable for the harm it caused to Gazans. "We request all global human rights groups to make certain that consequences are faced after resulting in fatalities and harm of thousands of Gazans and covering up the starvation policy practised by the Israeli authorities." Foundation History The foundation started work in Gaza on late May, a week after the Israeli government had moderately reduced a total blockade on relief and commercial goods to Gaza that lasted 11 weeks and caused severe shortages of necessary provisions. Three months later, a famine was declared in Gaza City. The GHF's food distribution sites in southern and central Gaza were operated by US private security contractors and located inside Israeli military zones. Relief Agency Issues The UN and its partners claimed the system breached the core assistance standards of non-partisanship, even-handedness and self-determination, and that channelling desperate people into militarised zones was fundamentally dangerous. The UN's human rights office reported it tracked the fatalities of no fewer than 859 Gazans trying to acquire sustenance in the area surrounding organization centers between late May through end of July. Another 514 people were lost their lives close to the courses followed by international humanitarian deliveries, it added. Most of them were killed by the Israeli military, based on the agency's reports. Divergent Narratives The Israeli military claimed its forces had discharged cautionary rounds at individuals who came near them in a "menacing" way. The foundation stated there were no shootings at the distribution centers and accused the UN of using "inaccurate and deceptive" data from the Gazan medical department controlled by militant factions. Ongoing Situation The organization's continuation had been uncertain 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 relief provision would take place "absent meddling from the both sides through the UN organizations and their partners, and the international relief society, in addition to other international institutions not associated in any manner" with Palestinian factions and Israeli authorities. International organization official the UN spokesman declared this week that the organization's termination would have "no impact" on its operations "as we never partnered with them". The official further mentioned that while additional assistance was reaching the Palestinian territory since the truce was implemented on early October, it was "not enough to address all necessities" of the 2.1 million population.