Controversial US-backed Gaza Relief Group Concludes Humanitarian Work

Relief work in the region
The foundation previously halted its relief locations in Gaza after the ceasefire came into force six weeks ago

The controversial, US and Israel-backed Gaza relief foundation declares it is terminating its relief activities in the Palestinian territory, following nearly half a year.

The foundation had earlier paused its three food distribution sites in Gaza subsequent to the truce agreement between Hamas and Israel took effect in recent weeks.

The GHF aimed to bypass the UN as the primary provider of humanitarian assistance to Gazans.

International relief agencies would not collaborate with its approach, saying it was unethical and unsafe.

Hundreds of Palestinians were fatally wounded while attempting to obtain sustenance amid turbulent circumstances near the organization's distribution points, mainly through Israeli military action, according to the UN.

Israel said its forces fired cautionary rounds.

Mission Completion

The GHF said on Monday that it was terminating work now because of the "satisfactory fulfillment of its emergency mission", with a cumulative three million shipments containing the equivalent of more than 187 million meals provided to residents.

The GHF's executive director, the foundation leader, also said the United States-operated coordination body - which has been created to help implement US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan - would be "adopting and expanding the system the foundation tested".

"The organization's system, in which Hamas could no longer loot and profit from stealing aid, was significantly influential in convincing militant groups to participate and establishing a truce."

Reactions and Responses

The militant group - which disputes allegations of misappropriation - welcomed the closure of the humanitarian foundation, according to reports.

A spokesman for stated the organization should be subject to scrutiny for the damage it inflicted to Palestinians.

"We urge all international human rights organisations to ensure that it does not escape accountability after leading to casualties and wounds of many residents and covering up the starvation policy practised by the Israel's administration."

Organization Timeline

The organization commenced activities in Gaza on May 26th, a seven days following the Israeli government had moderately reduced a total blockade on relief and commercial goods to Gaza that continued for 77 days and resulted in critical deficits of necessary provisions.

Subsequently, a food crisis was announced in the Palestinian urban center.

The organization's sustenance provision locations in the southern and middle regions of Gaza were managed by American private security firms and situated within Israeli military zones.

Relief Agency Issues

International organizations and their affiliates said the system contravened the fundamental humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence, and that channelling desperate people into military-controlled areas was fundamentally dangerous.

The UN's human rights office reported it tracked the killing of at least 859 Palestinians seeking food in the area surrounding organization centers between late May through end of July.

An additional 514 individuals were fatally wounded around the paths taken by United Nations and additional relief shipments, it added.

The majority of these individuals were fatally wounded by the Israeli forces, based on the agency's reports.

Divergent Narratives

The Israeli military stated its forces had fired warning shots at individuals who came near them in a "intimidating" manner.

The organization declared there were no shooting events at the relief locations and alleged that United Nations of using "false and misleading" figures from the Palestinian health authority administered by Hamas.

Ongoing Situation

The foundation's prospects had been indefinite since militant groups and the Israeli government approved a truce agreement to execute the primary segment of Trump's peace plan.

The arrangement specified humanitarian assistance would take place "absent meddling 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.

UN spokesperson the UN spokesman said on Monday that the foundation's closure would have "zero effect" on its activities "since we never collaborated with them".

The official further mentioned that while increased relief was entering the region since the truce was implemented on 10 October, it was "not enough to satisfy all requirements" of the over two million inhabitants.

Steve Pruitt
Steve Pruitt

A linguist and writer passionate about bridging cultures through language, with over a decade of experience in global communications.