🔗 Share this article Debated US-backed Gaza Relief Group Concludes Relief Activities The foundation previously paused its food distribution centers in Gaza after the ceasefire took effect six weeks ago The debated, American and Israeli-supported GHF aid organization says it is winding down its aid operations in the affected area, following nearly half a year. The group had already suspended its several relief locations in Gaza following the halt in hostilities between Palestinian factions and Israel took effect recently. The GHF aimed to bypass the UN as the primary provider of humanitarian assistance to Gazans. UN and other aid agencies would not collaborate with its approach, claiming it was improper and dangerous. Numerous Gazans were killed while trying to acquire nourishment amid disorderly situations near GHF's sites, primarily from Israeli forces, as reported by United Nations. Israeli authorities stated its forces fired cautionary rounds. Program Termination The organization declared on recently that it was concluding activities now because of the "effective conclusion of its crisis response", with a cumulative three million shipments containing the corresponding to over 187 million food portions provided to residents. The GHF's executive director, the executive director, additionally stated the American-directed Civil-Military Coordination Center - which has been established to help implement US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan - would be "adopting and expanding the approach the organization demonstrated". "The organization's system, in which Palestinian factions were unable to divert and benefit from humanitarian assistance, was significantly influential in convincing militant groups to participate and establishing a truce." Feedback and Statements Hamas - which denies stealing aid - supported the shutdown of the GHF, based on information. An official from declared the organization should be held accountable for the harm it caused to Gazans. "We call upon all worldwide humanitarian bodies to ensure that it does not escape accountability after causing the death and injury of thousands of Gazans and obscuring the nutritional restriction approach employed by the Israeli authorities." Organization Timeline The GHF began operations in Gaza on 26 May, a seven days following Israel had partially eased a total blockade on humanitarian and trade shipments to Gaza that lasted 11 weeks and resulted in critical deficits of vital resources. Three months later, a nutritional emergency was proclaimed in the Gaza metropolitan area. The GHF's food distribution sites in the southern and middle regions of Gaza were operated by American private security firms and located inside regions under Israeli military authority. Humanitarian Concerns The UN and its partners stated the system violated the basic relief guidelines of non-partisanship, even-handedness and self-determination, and that guiding distressed residents into military-controlled areas was intrinsically hazardous. International human rights monitoring body stated it documented the deaths of a minimum of 859 residents trying to acquire sustenance in the proximity to foundation locations between late May through end of July. Another 514 people were lost their lives close to the courses followed by international humanitarian deliveries, it further stated. Most of them were fatally wounded by the Israeli military, as per the organization's documentation. Conflicting Accounts The Israeli military stated its troops had fired warning shots at persons who advanced toward them in a "threatening" way. The GHF said there were no firearm incidents at the relief locations and accused the UN of using "untrue and confusing" data from the Palestinian health authority administered by Hamas. Future Implications The organization's continuation had been unclear since militant groups and the Israeli government approved a truce agreement to carry out the primary segment of Trump's peace plan. The agreement stated humanitarian assistance would take place "free from intervention from the both sides through the international bodies and their affiliates, and the Red Crescent, in addition to other international institutions not connected in any way" with militant groups and the Israeli government. UN spokesperson the UN spokesman said on Monday that the foundation's closure would have "zero effect" on its activities "because we never worked with them". He also said that while increased relief was entering the region since the halt in hostilities began on October 10th, it was "insufficient to meet all the needs" of the 2.1 million residents.