US-backed Gaza aid group ends operations amid controversy

The US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has ended its aid operations in Gaza after nearly six months, having distributed three million food packages. The organization, backed by the US and Israel, aimed to bypass the UN as the main aid supplier but faced criticism for operating in Israeli military zones and being associated with the US-led Civil-Military Coordination Centre. The GHF's operations were marred by controversy, with hundreds of Palestinians killed while seeking food near its sites, mostly by Israeli fire. The UN and other aid agencies refused to cooperate with the GHF, citing concerns over safety and ethics. The GHF's closure was welcomed by Hamas, which denied allegations of stealing aid and called for the organization to be held accountable for the harm it caused.

The article discusses the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where food kitchens are still struggling to provide essential products despite a ceasefire. American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera) is one of the organizations operating community kitchens, feeding over 20,000 people daily. However, they face challenges in securing essential proteins like meat and fresh vegetables due to Israeli restrictions on aid. The UN reports that a quarter of households in Gaza are eating just one meal daily, and prices of basic goods remain high. Aid agencies are pushing for Israel to open more crossing points and ease restrictions on humanitarian organizations.

The US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has announced that it will shift its operations to other aid organizations after delivering over 187 million free meals to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The GHF was launched in May to ensure that aid reached the Gazan population and prevent Hamas from looting goods. Despite facing criticism and threats from Hamas and some UN agencies, the GHF successfully implemented a new model for delivering aid, which was praised by the Trump administration. The GHF's executive director stated that the organization's goal was to meet an urgent need, prove that a new approach could succeed, and ultimately hand off that success to the broader international community.