The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), previously backed by the U.S. and Israel to provide aid to Gaza independently of the United Nations, announced on Monday the closure of its operations. GHF had ceased distribution activities following a ceasefire brokered by the U.S. six weeks ago and confirmed its permanent shutdown, declaring that it had achieved its objectives. John Acree, the director of GHF, stated that the foundation had demonstrated a more effective approach to delivering aid to Gazans.
Throughout its brief existence, GHF maintained a veil of secrecy regarding its operations, funding sources, and the armed personnel overseeing aid distribution sites. The foundation’s primary aim was to ensure aid reached Gaza without interference from Hamas.
Reports from Palestinians, aid workers, and health officials highlighted the risks faced by individuals seeking aid from GHF, as they had to navigate past Israeli troops securing the sites, with instances of fatal shootings documented. While GHF denied violence within the aid sites, it acknowledged the dangers posed to individuals traveling to these locations. Contractors at the sites reported instances of American security personnel resorting to live ammunition and stun grenades during food distributions.
GHF announced its intention to transfer its responsibilities to the Civil-Military Coordination Center, led by the U.S., overseeing the Gaza ceasefire. This transition, according to Acree, follows ongoing discussions with CMCC and international organizations, indicating that GHF’s operational model would be expanded under the new leadership.
The foundation’s establishment in late May came in response to Israel halting food deliveries to Gaza, leading to concerns of a looming famine. Israel sought to replace the UN food distribution system with GHF, alleging Hamas’ diversion of aid, a claim refuted by the UN. The UN opposed GHF, citing concerns about Israeli control over food distribution and potential Palestinian displacement.
GHF reported delivering over three million food boxes, equating to 187 million meals, to Gaza. Separately, the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad announced the discovery of a hostage’s body in an area controlled by the Israeli army in Gaza, with details on the handover pending. The ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, effective since October 9, marked the end of a prolonged period of conflict, with unresolved disputes earmarked for future negotiations.
As part of the ceasefire terms, Hamas released all surviving hostages in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The agreement also entailed the repatriation of hostages’ remains and militants’ remains between the two parties. Subsequent accusations of violations and resistance to peace initiatives under President Donald Trump’s plan have strained the post-war landscape. The conflict, originating from a 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with ongoing challenges to peace and stability in the region.