The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, supported by the U.S. and Israel, has decided to cease its operations after facing criticism from Palestinians for jeopardizing civilian lives during aid distribution efforts. The foundation, established as an alternative to the United Nations, had already halted distribution activities following a ceasefire brokered by the U.S. six weeks ago in Gaza. In a statement on Monday, GHF Director John Acree stated that the organization was closing permanently, claiming to have successfully demonstrated a more effective approach to delivering aid to Gazans.
Throughout its brief existence, the GHF operated discreetly, with undisclosed funding sources and limited information about the armed contractors managing the distribution sites. Their objective was to provide aid to Gaza without it being diverted by Hamas.
Reports from Palestinians, aid workers, and health officials indicated that individuals seeking assistance had to navigate dangerous conditions, including encounters with Israeli troops securing the locations. Allegations surfaced that soldiers fired upon aid-seekers, resulting in numerous casualties. The Israeli military defended its actions, stating that any firing was done as a precautionary measure or in response to perceived threats.
GHF denied reports of violence at the aid sites but acknowledged the risks faced by people traveling to the locations on foot. Witnesses and video evidence suggested that American security personnel deployed by the foundation used live ammunition and stun grenades to control crowds during aid distributions.
Acree mentioned that GHF would transfer its responsibilities to the Civil-Military Coordination Center, led by the U.S. in Israel, which oversees the Gaza ceasefire. Discussions had been ongoing for weeks regarding the transition, with plans to expand the model pioneered by GHF.
The GHF initiative commenced in late May after Israel ceased food deliveries to Gaza for three months, leading to food insecurity in the region. Israel sought to replace the UN food distribution system with the GHF, citing concerns about aid diversion by Hamas, a claim that the UN refuted. The United Nations objected to GHF’s establishment, citing Israeli control over food distribution and the potential for Palestinian displacement.
In a released statement, GHF reported delivering over three million food boxes, equating to 187 million meals, to Gaza residents. Meanwhile, the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group announced the discovery of a hostage’s body under Israeli army control in Gaza. The process for returning the hostage’s remains was pending.
Following a truce signed by Hamas and Israel on October 9, hostilities ceased, albeit with unresolved disputes awaiting further negotiations. The agreement facilitated the release of hostages by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. It also outlined the repatriation of hostage remains and militants’ remains between the two parties.
The conflict, which commenced with a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulted in numerous casualties and hostages. Subsequent developments included accusations of breaches in commitments outlined in the ceasefire agreement and resistance to initiatives within President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza.
Since the conflict’s outset, casualties among Palestinians have been significant, with a high number of fatalities and injuries reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ministry’s data, though not distinguishing between civilians and combatants, highlighted the disproportionate impact on women and children among the casualties, as recorded by medical professionals within the Hamas-administered government.
