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The controversial, US and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) says it is winding down its aid operations in the Palestinian territory, following nearly half a year.

The group had previously halted its three food distribution sites in Gaza following the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel came into force recently.

The organization attempted to avoid UN systems as the chief distributor 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 trying to acquire nourishment amid disorderly situations near GHF's sites, primarily from Israeli forces, as reported by United Nations.

Israel said its soldiers fired alerting fire.

Operation Conclusion

The GHF said on Monday that it was winding down operations now because of the "successful completion of its emergency mission", with a aggregate of 3 million parcels containing the corresponding to over 187 million food portions provided to residents.

The organization's top administrator, the executive director, further mentioned the United States-operated coordination body - which has been established to help execute the American administration's Gaza initiative - would be "adopting and expanding the model GHF piloted".

"GHF's model, in which Palestinian factions were unable to divert and benefit from humanitarian assistance, played a huge role in bringing Palestinian factions to negotiations and securing a halt in hostilities."

Comments and Positions

Hamas - which denies stealing aid - welcomed the closure of the humanitarian foundation, according to reports.

An official from stated the foundation should be subject to scrutiny for the harm it caused to local residents.

"We urge all global human rights groups to make certain that consequences are faced after leading to casualties and wounds of thousands of Gazans and concealing the food deprivation strategy practised by the Israel's administration."

Foundation History

The GHF began operations in Gaza on 26 May, a seven days following Israel had partially eased a complete restriction on aid and commercial deliveries to Gaza that persisted for nearly three months and led to substantial deficiencies of necessary provisions.

Three months later, a nutritional emergency was proclaimed in Gaza City.

The GHF's food distribution sites in various parts of the Palestinian territory were managed by United States-based protection companies and located inside Israeli military zones.

Humanitarian Concerns

The UN and its partners said the methodology contravened the core assistance standards of objectivity, fairness and autonomy, and that channelling desperate people into militarised zones was fundamentally dangerous.

United Nations human rights division reported it tracked the deaths of a minimum of 859 residents seeking food in the proximity to foundation locations between spring and summer months.

An additional 514 individuals were killed near the courses followed by international humanitarian deliveries, it also mentioned.

The greater part of these people were killed by the Israeli military, based on the agency's reports.

Divergent Narratives

Israeli defense forces claimed its soldiers had fired warning shots at individuals who came near them in a "threatening" manner.

The GHF said there were no shooting events at the aid sites and claimed the international organization of using "untrue and confusing" data from Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.

Future Implications

The organization's continuation had been indefinite since Hamas and Israel agreed a halt in hostilities arrangement to implement the first phase of the American administration's peace initiative.

The arrangement specified aid distribution would take place "absent meddling from the both sides through the international bodies and their affiliates, and the humanitarian medical organization, in conjunction with other international institutions not connected in any way" with Hamas and Israel.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated recently that the GHF's shutdown would have "no impact" on its work "because we never worked with them".

The official further mentioned that while more aid was getting into Gaza since the truce was implemented on early October, it was "insufficient to address all necessities" of the 2.1 million population.