🔗 Share this article Controversial United States-funded Gaza Relief Group Ends Relief Activities The GHF had suspended its food distribution centers in Gaza after the ceasefire took effect six weeks ago The debated, American and Israeli-supported Gaza relief foundation says it is concluding its humanitarian work in the affected area, following nearly half a year. The group had previously halted its several relief locations in Gaza following the halt in hostilities between Palestinian factions and Israel came into force in recent weeks. The organization attempted to bypass the UN as the primary provider of relief to Palestinian residents. UN and other aid agencies declined to participate with its methodology, stating it was unethical and unsafe. Many residents were killed while seeking food amid turbulent circumstances near the foundation's locations, mostly by Israeli fire, according to the UN. Israeli authorities stated its soldiers fired cautionary rounds. Mission Completion The foundation announced on recently that it was terminating work now because of the "satisfactory fulfillment of its humanitarian effort", with a aggregate of 3 million parcels containing the corresponding to over 187 million food portions delivered to Palestinians. The organization's top administrator, Jon Acree, further mentioned the US-led Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) - which has been created to help execute US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan - would be "implementing and enlarging the approach the organization demonstrated". "The foundation's approach, in which Palestinian factions were unable to divert and benefit from humanitarian assistance, was significantly influential in bringing Palestinian factions to negotiations and achieving a ceasefire." Reactions and Responses Hamas - which denies stealing aid - approved the termination of the humanitarian foundation, as indicated by media. A representative of declared GHF should be made responsible for the harm it caused to Gazans. "We urge all worldwide humanitarian bodies to guarantee that responsibility is assigned after causing the death and injury of numerous Palestinians and covering up the starvation policy implemented by the Israel's administration." Organization Timeline The foundation started work in Gaza on 26 May, a short period subsequent to Israel had partially eased a complete restriction on relief and commercial goods to Gaza that persisted for nearly three months and resulted in critical deficits of vital resources. Three months later, a famine was declared in Gaza City. The organization's sustenance provision locations in southern and central Gaza were managed by United States-based protection companies and located inside regions under Israeli military authority. Relief Agency Issues The UN and its partners said the system breached the fundamental humanitarian principles of objectivity, fairness and autonomy, and that directing needy individuals into militarised zones was fundamentally dangerous. The UN's human rights office reported it tracked the deaths of a minimum of 859 residents 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 paths taken by United Nations and additional relief shipments, it also mentioned. Most of them were fatally wounded by the Israeli forces, based on the agency's reports. Divergent Narratives Israeli defense forces said its troops had released alerting fire at persons who advanced toward them in a "intimidating" manner. The GHF said there were no shootings at the relief locations and alleged that United Nations of using "untrue and confusing" data from the Gazan medical department controlled by militant factions. Future Implications The GHF's future had been uncertain since militant groups and the Israeli government approved a halt in hostilities arrangement to implement the primary segment of the United States' reconciliation proposal. The agreement stated humanitarian assistance would take place "without interference from the two parties through the UN organizations and their partners, and the humanitarian medical organization, in conjunction with other worldwide bodies not associated in any manner" with militant groups and the Israeli government. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric declared this week that the GHF's shutdown would have "no impact" on its work "because we never worked with them". The spokesperson additionally stated that while additional assistance was reaching the Palestinian territory since the ceasefire took effect on October 10th, it was "insufficient to satisfy all requirements" of the 2.1 million residents.