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The debated, US and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) announces it is concluding its aid operations in the affected area, following nearly half a year.

The group had already suspended its three food distribution sites in Gaza following the halt in hostilities between Palestinian factions and Israel came into force six weeks ago.

The foundation sought to avoid UN systems as the chief distributor of aid to Gaza's population.

UN and other aid agencies refused to co-operate with its system, stating it was improper and dangerous.

Hundreds of Palestinians were lost their lives while attempting to obtain sustenance amid turbulent circumstances near the foundation's locations, mainly through Israeli military action, as reported by United Nations.

The Israeli military claimed its troops fired cautionary rounds.

Program Termination

The GHF said on the beginning of the week that it was terminating work now because of the "satisfactory fulfillment of its crisis response", with a total of three million packages containing the corresponding to over 187 million food portions distributed to Gazans.

The organization's top administrator, Jon Acree, also said the American-directed Civil-Military Coordination Center - which has been set up to help execute the American administration's Gaza initiative - would be "taking over and developing the approach the organization demonstrated".

"The foundation's approach, in which militant groups were prevented from misappropriating relief supplies, had major impact in convincing militant groups to participate and securing a halt in hostilities."

Reactions and Responses

Hamas - which denies stealing aid - approved the termination of the GHF, as indicated by media.

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

"We call upon all worldwide humanitarian bodies to ensure that it does not escape accountability after causing the death and injury of numerous Palestinians and concealing the nutritional restriction approach implemented by the Israel's administration."

Foundation History

The organization commenced activities 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 continued for 77 days and caused severe shortages of essential supplies.

Subsequently, a famine was declared in the Palestinian urban center.

The GHF's food distribution sites in various parts of the Palestinian territory were managed by American private security firms and situated within areas controlled by Israeli forces.

Aid Organization Objections

The UN and its partners said the methodology contravened the fundamental humanitarian principles of objectivity, fairness and autonomy, and that directing needy individuals into militarised zones was fundamentally dangerous.

United Nations human rights division stated it documented the fatalities of no fewer than 859 Gazans seeking food in the proximity to foundation locations between 26 May and 31 July.

Another 514 people were killed near the courses followed by international humanitarian deliveries, it added.

Most of them were fatally wounded by the Israel's armed forces, according to the office.

Divergent Narratives

Israel's armed services stated its forces had fired warning shots at individuals who came near them in a "menacing" fashion.

The GHF said there were no shootings at the relief locations and alleged that United Nations of using "inaccurate and deceptive" statistics from the Palestinian health authority administered by Hamas.

Future Implications

The GHF's future had been uncertain since Hamas and Israel agreed a truce agreement to execute the initial stage of the American administration's peace initiative.

The arrangement specified relief provision would take place "free from intervention from the two parties through the UN organizations and their partners, and the humanitarian medical organization, in conjunction with other international institutions not connected in any way" with Palestinian factions and Israeli authorities.

United Nations representative the UN spokesman stated recently that the organization's termination would have "no influence" on its activities "since we never collaborated with them".

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