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The controversial, United States and Israel-funded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) announces it is concluding its humanitarian work in the affected area, after almost six months.

The group had previously halted its multiple aid distribution centers in Gaza after the truce agreement between Hamas and Israel took effect recently.

The GHF aimed to avoid UN systems as the primary provider of relief to Palestinian residents.

UN and other aid agencies declined to participate with its approach, claiming it was questionable and hazardous.

Hundreds of Palestinians were killed while trying to acquire nourishment amid turbulent circumstances near the foundation's locations, mainly through Israeli military action, according to the UN.

The Israeli military claimed its troops fired cautionary rounds.

Program Termination

The organization declared on Monday that it was terminating work now because of the "successful completion of its humanitarian effort", with a aggregate of 3 million parcels containing the corresponding to over 187 million food portions distributed to Gazans.

The GHF's executive director, Jon Acree, further mentioned the US-led Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) - which has been created to help execute the United States' Palestinian peace proposal - would be "taking over and developing the system the foundation tested".

"The foundation's approach, in which Hamas could no longer loot and profit from stealing aid, was significantly influential in convincing militant groups to participate and securing a halt in hostilities."

Comments and Positions

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

An official from said the organization should be held accountable for the damage it inflicted to local residents.

"We urge all global human rights groups to ensure that it does not escape accountability after leading to casualties and wounds of thousands of Gazans and covering up the starvation policy implemented by the Israeli government."

Foundation History

The GHF began operations in Gaza on May 26th, a short period subsequent to Israel had partially eased a total blockade on relief and commercial goods to Gaza that lasted 11 weeks and resulted in critical deficits of vital resources.

Subsequently, a food crisis was announced in the Gaza metropolitan area.

The GHF's food distribution sites in various parts of the Palestinian territory were operated by American private security firms and located inside regions under Israeli military authority.

Humanitarian Concerns

United Nations agencies and their collaborators claimed the approach breached the fundamental humanitarian principles of non-partisanship, even-handedness and self-determination, and that guiding distressed residents into militarised zones was intrinsically hazardous.

United Nations human rights division said it recorded the fatalities of no fewer than 859 Gazans attempting to obtain nourishment in the proximity to foundation locations between 26 May and 31 July.

A further 514 persons were fatally wounded around the routes of UN and other aid convoys, it added.

The greater part of these people were fatally wounded by the Israeli forces, as per the organization's documentation.

Conflicting Accounts

Israeli defense forces stated its soldiers had discharged cautionary rounds at persons who advanced toward them in a "menacing" manner.

The GHF said there were no firearm incidents at the aid sites and alleged that United Nations of using "inaccurate and deceptive" data from Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.

Subsequent Developments

The foundation's prospects had been unclear since militant groups and the Israeli government approved a ceasefire deal to carry out the first phase of the United States' reconciliation proposal.

The arrangement specified relief provision would take place "without interference from the both sides through the UN organizations and their partners, and the humanitarian medical organization, in conjunction with other global organizations not associated in any manner" with militant groups and the Israeli government.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Monday that the foundation's closure would have "zero effect" on its operations "as we never partnered with them".

He also said that while increased relief was entering the region since the ceasefire took effect on 10 October, it was "insufficient to satisfy all requirements" of the 2.1 million population.