🔗 Share this article Controversial US-backed Gaza Relief Group Terminates Humanitarian Work This organization had paused its aid distribution sites in Gaza subsequent to the halt in hostilities was implemented six weeks ago The disputed, US and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) says it is winding down its aid operations in the affected area, following nearly half a year. The group had previously halted its three food distribution sites in Gaza subsequent to the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took effect recently. The foundation sought to bypass the UN as the main supplier of relief to Palestinian residents. United Nations organizations and other humanitarian groups refused to co-operate with its methodology, saying it was unethical and unsafe. Hundreds of Palestinians were fatally wounded while trying to acquire nourishment amid disorderly situations near GHF's sites, mainly through Israeli military action, based on UN documentation. The Israeli military claimed its troops fired warning shots. Mission Completion The foundation announced on recently that it was winding down operations now because of the "satisfactory fulfillment of its emergency mission", with a total of three million packages containing the amounting to in excess of 187 million sustenance units distributed to Gazans. The GHF's executive director, Jon Acree, additionally stated the US-led Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) - which has been established to help carry out the American administration's Gaza initiative - would be "taking over and developing the model GHF piloted". "The foundation's approach, in which Palestinian factions were unable to divert and benefit from humanitarian assistance, was significantly influential in getting Hamas to the table and achieving a ceasefire." Feedback and Statements The Palestinian faction - which refutes aid diversion claims - supported the shutdown of the humanitarian foundation, according to reports. A spokesman for stated the foundation should be made responsible for the harm it caused to Palestinians. "We urge all international human rights organisations to ensure that it does not escape accountability after resulting in fatalities and harm of many residents and obscuring the starvation policy implemented by the Israel's administration." Operational Background The foundation started work in Gaza on late May, a short period subsequent to the Israeli government had moderately reduced 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 food crisis was announced in Gaza City. The GHF's food distribution sites in various parts of the Palestinian territory were managed by American private security firms and positioned in areas controlled by Israeli forces. Relief Agency Issues The UN and its partners claimed the system breached the basic relief guidelines of non-partisanship, even-handedness and self-determination, and that channelling desperate people into military-controlled areas was fundamentally dangerous. United Nations human rights division reported it tracked the fatalities of no fewer than 859 Gazans attempting to obtain nourishment in the proximity to foundation locations between spring and summer months. An additional 514 individuals were lost their lives close to the routes of UN and other aid convoys, it further stated. Most of them were fatally wounded by the Israeli forces, as per the organization's documentation. Conflicting Accounts Israel's armed services stated its troops had discharged cautionary rounds at individuals who came near them in a "menacing" manner. The organization declared there were no shooting events at the distribution centers and accused the UN of using "inaccurate and deceptive" figures from Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry. Subsequent Developments The foundation's prospects had been indefinite since Palestinian factions and Israeli authorities consented a halt in hostilities arrangement to carry out the initial stage of the American administration's peace initiative. The arrangement specified humanitarian assistance would take place "free from intervention from the two parties through the United Nations and its agencies, and the humanitarian medical organization, in combination with other global organizations not linked whatsoever" with Palestinian factions and Israeli authorities. United Nations representative Stephane Dujarric stated recently that the organization's termination would have "zero effect" on its operations "as we never partnered with them". The official further mentioned that while increased relief was entering the region since the truce was implemented on October 10th, it was "inadequate to address all necessities" of the over two million inhabitants.