Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Closes Operations Amid Criticism
The controversial aid distribution organization, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which is backed by the United States and Israel, has announced the end of its operations in Gaza. This announcement comes after a tumultuous five months of operations plagued by allegations of endangering civilians and contributing to deadly violence.
Background
The GHF was set up as an alternative to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (Unrwa) to distribute aid in Gaza. The organization launched its operations on May 26, with a goal to ensure meals reached Gaza's population without interference from Hamas. The GHF has reportedly provided more than 187 million free meals and 1.1 million packs of ready-to-use supplementary food for malnourished children.
Despite these positive figures, the organization has faced widespread criticism. According to various reports, over 2000 people have been killed while seeking aid, most due to Israeli fire. The organization's food distribution sites, four of which were major points, have seen chaos and deadly violence between May and October. The Unrwa also accuses Israel of blocking its staff and aid, stating that more than 90 percent of Gaza's population now survives entirely on aid.
Criticism and Controversy
The GHF's operations have been marred by controversy, with rights observers condemning the aid scheme for bypassing UN, resulting in deadly attacks at distribution sites. The organization has been accused of creating dangerous and degrading conditions for Palestinians trying to obtain food. The Hamas group has called for accountability for the deaths of over 2600 Palestinians at the GHF's sites.
On the announcement of GHF's cessation of operations, Hamas said in a statement, The announcement by the Gaza 'Humanitarian' Foundation of ending its mission in the Gaza Strip is a deserved step for an inhumane group that was complicit in the genocide project and the engineering of starvation in partnership with the Zionist occupation.
GHF's Response and the Road Ahead
Despite the criticism, GHF Executive Director John Acree said in a statement, “This mission was designed to show that humanitarian aid can be delivered efficiently, safely, and transparently even in the most challenging conflict zones.” He added, With the creation of the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) and a rejuvenated engagement of the international humanitarian community, GHF believes that moment has now arrived.
The GHF has stated that it had successfully completed its emergency mission and will now hand off its success to the broader international community.
Conclusion
The closure of the GHF leaves a void in the humanitarian aid in Gaza, exacerbating an already dire situation. As the GHF ceases operations, the Unrwa continues to struggle to provide basic necessities to the population, with thousands of food trucks stalled at the crossings and many Gazans surviving entirely on aid. The international community is faced with the challenge of providing aid in a region marked by conflict and political complexities.