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

The organisation had earlier paused its three food distribution sites in Gaza subsequent to the truce agreement between Hamas and Israel came into force in recent weeks.

The foundation sought to bypass the UN as the chief distributor of relief to Palestinian residents.

United Nations organizations and other humanitarian groups would not collaborate with its approach, saying it was questionable and hazardous.

Numerous Gazans were killed while attempting to obtain sustenance amid turbulent circumstances near the foundation's locations, mostly by Israeli fire, according to the UN.

The Israeli military claimed its troops fired warning shots.

Operation Conclusion

The foundation announced on recently that it was winding down operations now because of the "effective conclusion of its humanitarian effort", with a total of three million packages containing the corresponding to over 187 million food portions delivered to Palestinians.

The foundation's chief officer, the foundation leader, also said the United States-operated coordination body - which has been set up to help execute the American administration's Gaza initiative - would be "taking over and developing the model GHF piloted".

"GHF's model, in which Hamas could no longer loot and profit from stealing aid, played a huge role in getting Hamas to the table and securing a halt in hostilities."

Comments and Positions

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

A representative of said GHF should be held accountable for the negative impact it created to Gazans.

"We request all global human rights groups to ensure that it does not escape accountability after causing the death and injury of thousands of Gazans and covering up the nutritional restriction approach employed by the Israel's administration."

Foundation History

The organization commenced activities in Gaza on May 26th, a week after Israel had partially eased a total blockade on humanitarian and trade shipments to Gaza that lasted 11 weeks and led to substantial deficiencies of necessary provisions.

Subsequently, a nutritional emergency was proclaimed in the Gaza metropolitan area.

The GHF's food distribution sites in various parts of the Palestinian territory were managed by US private security contractors and located inside areas controlled by Israeli forces.

Humanitarian Concerns

International organizations and their affiliates said the methodology breached the core assistance standards of neutrality, impartiality and independence, and that directing needy individuals into armed forces regions was intrinsically hazardous.

The UN's human rights office said it recorded the deaths of a minimum of 859 residents seeking food in the vicinity of GHF sites between late May through end of July.

A further 514 persons were killed near the courses followed by international humanitarian deliveries, it also mentioned.

The majority of these individuals were killed by the Israeli forces, according to the office.

Conflicting Accounts

Israel's armed services claimed its troops had released alerting fire at individuals who came near them in a "menacing" manner.

The foundation stated there were no firearm incidents at the aid sites and alleged that United Nations of using "untrue and confusing" data from the Gazan medical department controlled by militant factions.

Subsequent Developments

The organization's continuation had been uncertain since Palestinian factions and Israeli authorities consented a halt in hostilities arrangement to carry out the initial stage of Trump's peace plan.

It said aid distribution would take place "absent meddling from the involved factions through the international bodies and their affiliates, and the humanitarian medical organization, in combination with other worldwide bodies not connected in any way" with Hamas and Israel.

United Nations representative the UN spokesman 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 October 10th, it was "not enough to satisfy all requirements" of the over two million inhabitants.