Controversial American-supported Gaza Relief Group Terminates Humanitarian Work
The disputed, US and Israel-backed Gaza relief foundation announces it is concluding its relief activities in the affected area, after almost six months.
The group had previously halted its several relief locations in Gaza subsequent to the truce agreement between Hamas and Israel took effect six weeks ago.
The foundation sought to avoid UN systems as the main supplier of aid to Gaza's population.
UN and other aid agencies would not collaborate with its methodology, saying it was improper and dangerous.
Many residents were killed while attempting to obtain sustenance amid chaotic scenes near the organization's distribution points, mostly by Israeli fire, as reported by United Nations.
Israeli authorities stated its troops fired alerting fire.
Program Termination
The foundation announced on the beginning of the week that it was concluding activities now because of the "successful completion of its crisis response", with a aggregate of 3 million parcels containing the corresponding to over 187 million food portions provided to residents.
The GHF's executive director, the executive director, further mentioned the United States-operated coordination body - which has been created to help execute the American administration's Gaza initiative - would be "adopting and expanding the system the foundation tested".
"GHF's model, in which Hamas could no longer loot and profit from stealing aid, had major impact in getting Hamas to the table and securing a halt in hostilities."
Feedback and Statements
The militant group - which disputes allegations of misappropriation - supported the shutdown of the aid organization, according to reports.
An official from stated the foundation should be made responsible for the damage it inflicted to Gazans.
"We request all worldwide humanitarian bodies to ensure that it does not escape accountability after leading to casualties and wounds of thousands of Gazans and concealing the nutritional restriction approach employed by the Israeli government."
Operational Background
The organization commenced activities in Gaza on late May, a week after Israel had partially eased a total blockade on humanitarian and trade shipments to Gaza that lasted 11 weeks and caused severe shortages of essential supplies.
Subsequently, a food crisis was announced in the Palestinian urban center.
The organization's sustenance provision locations in southern and central Gaza were operated by American private security firms and located inside areas controlled by Israeli forces.
Humanitarian Concerns
United Nations agencies and their collaborators said the approach breached the core assistance standards of neutrality, impartiality and independence, and that channelling desperate people into militarised zones was fundamentally dangerous.
International human rights monitoring body said it recorded the fatalities of no fewer than 859 Gazans attempting to obtain nourishment in the proximity to foundation locations between late May through end of July.
An additional 514 individuals were fatally wounded around the courses followed by international humanitarian deliveries, it added.
The majority of these individuals were lost their lives due to the Israeli military, according to the office.
Contrasting Reports
Israel's armed services claimed its troops had fired warning shots at people who approached them in a "threatening" fashion.
The organization declared there were no firearm incidents at the distribution centers and alleged that United Nations of using "false and misleading" figures from the Gazan medical department controlled by militant factions.
Subsequent Developments
The GHF's future had been unclear since Hamas and Israel agreed a truce agreement to implement the first phase of the United States' reconciliation proposal.
The arrangement specified aid distribution would take place "free from intervention from the both sides through the United Nations and its agencies, and the humanitarian medical organization, in combination with other international institutions not connected in any way" with militant groups and the Israeli government.
United Nations representative Stephane Dujarric declared this week that the foundation's closure would have "no impact" on its activities "because we never worked with them".
The official further mentioned that while additional assistance was reaching the Palestinian territory since the truce was implemented on 10 October, it was "not enough to satisfy all requirements" of the 2.1 million population.