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The debated, US and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) announces it is terminating its humanitarian work in the Gaza region, after almost six months.

The foundation had already suspended its multiple aid distribution centers in Gaza following the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel came into force recently.

The organization attempted to circumvent United Nations channels as the chief distributor of humanitarian assistance to Gazans.

UN and other aid agencies would not collaborate with its approach, stating it was unethical and unsafe.

Many residents were fatally wounded while seeking food amid chaotic scenes near GHF's sites, mainly through Israeli military action, according to the UN.

Israel said its soldiers fired warning shots.

Operation Conclusion

The organization declared on Monday that it was concluding activities now because of the "satisfactory fulfillment of its emergency mission", with a cumulative three million shipments containing the equivalent of more than 187 million meals provided to residents.

The organization's top administrator, the executive director, further mentioned the US-led Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) - which has been set up to help carry out the United States' Palestinian peace proposal - would be "taking over and developing the approach the organization demonstrated".

"The foundation's approach, in which Hamas could no longer loot and profit from stealing aid, played a huge role in convincing militant groups to participate and securing a halt in hostilities."

Reactions and Responses

The Palestinian faction - which refutes aid diversion claims - welcomed the closure of the GHF, according to reports.

A spokesman for stated GHF should be subject to scrutiny for the harm it caused to Palestinians.

"We request all worldwide humanitarian bodies to guarantee that responsibility is assigned after causing the death and injury of thousands of Gazans and covering up the starvation policy implemented by the Israeli authorities."

Foundation History

The foundation started work in Gaza on 26 May, a week after the Israeli government had moderately reduced a total blockade on humanitarian and trade shipments to Gaza that continued for 77 days 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 southern and central Gaza were operated by US private security contractors and positioned in Israeli military zones.

Aid Organization Objections

International organizations and their affiliates claimed the approach contravened the fundamental humanitarian principles of non-partisanship, even-handedness and self-determination, and that guiding distressed residents into militarised zones was intrinsically hazardous.

United Nations human rights division said it recorded the killing of at least 859 Palestinians trying to acquire sustenance in the area surrounding organization centers between spring and summer months.

Another 514 people were lost their lives close to the routes of UN and other aid convoys, it further stated.

The majority of these individuals were fatally wounded by the Israeli military, as per the organization's documentation.

Divergent Narratives

The Israeli military claimed its troops had fired warning shots at people who approached them in a "threatening" way.

The organization declared there were no shooting events at the relief locations and alleged that United Nations of using "untrue and confusing" data from the Palestinian health authority administered by Hamas.

Future Implications

The GHF's future had been unclear since militant groups and the Israeli government approved a halt in hostilities arrangement to implement the first phase of the American administration's peace initiative.

The arrangement specified humanitarian assistance would take place "without interference from the two parties through the UN organizations and their partners, and the international relief society, in conjunction with other global organizations not linked whatsoever" with Hamas and Israel.

UN spokesperson the UN spokesman declared this week that the GHF's shutdown would have "no impact" on its work "since we never collaborated with them".

He also said that while increased relief was entering the region since the halt in hostilities began on early October, it was "insufficient to satisfy all requirements" of the over two million inhabitants.