Jerusalem (EFE).- The controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), the United States-based organization tasked by Israel with distributing food in Gaza from May until the October ceasefire, announced on Monday that it has ended its operations in the enclave.
“In a critical moment, the US-led emergency relief mission helped lay the groundwork for the ceasefire and Gaza’s future,” the GHF said in a statement.
The nonprofit, composed of former US military personnel, private security firms, and humanitarian operators, was heavily criticized by the United Nations, which said earlier this year that GHF did not operate under international humanitarian law principles.
The organization’s methods contributed to hundreds of deaths in Gaza, according to UN reports.
After GHF set up three operation hubs in southern Gaza and another in central Gaza, replacing 200 UN distribution points, aid delivery quickly descended into chaos-
Crowds of Palestinians surged around the center seeking food, often met with violent crowd control.
Deadly distribution under aid blockade
The disorder unfolded against the backdrop of Israel’s blockade on aid entering Gaza, which was total from March until GHF began operating in May.
But the group was unable to meet the population’s needs, contributing to widespread hunger that international monitors formally declared a famine this summer.
Since Israel’s offensive began following Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attacks, more than 2,100 Palestinians have been killed while attempting to receive humanitarian aid, including near GHF facilities or on their way to them, according to the United Nations.
“With the establishment of the Civil-Military Coordination Center for Gaza and renewed commitment from the international humanitarian community, GHF believes it is time to cease operations,” said GHF’s executive director, John Acree.
Record claims, unverified data
GHF also released an impact report on Monday, describing its work as “record-breaking” despite the deadly scenes surrounding its food distributions.
“In response to United States President Donald Trump’s call for aid to reach Gaza’s population directly, GHF built a new model from scratch: secure sites, vetted local staff, disciplined operations, and direct delivery to civilians without interference from Hamas or others,” the statement said.
The group claims to have distributed more than 3 million food boxes, totaling 187 million meals, along with 5,600 tons of potatoes, 1,300 tons of onions, and 1.1 million nutritional supplements for malnourished children since late May.
However, because GHF operated as a substitute for UN humanitarian agencies, accused by Israel of cooperating with Hamas, there is no transparent mechanism to verify its figures.
The organization acknowledged it was a “temporary initiative” and had plans to expand its centers, but halted operations after the October ceasefire when the US and the international community returned humanitarian responsibilities to UN agencies.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported in its Nov. 22 update that all UN missions sent to collect aid shipments at Kerem Shalom crossing were denied access that day. EFE
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