The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), supported by the US and Israel, announced a suspension of its operations in Gaza following the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, effective October 10. Although the organization had funding until November, it reported that its last aid delivery occurred on the preceding Friday.
The GHF has faced criticism due to reports of Palestinian casualties near its distribution sites, with witnesses attributing many deaths to Israeli military actions. In response, Israel has consistently denied claims of civilian targeting and GHF representatives assert that their aid distribution proceeded without incident. The closure of the group’s northernmost distribution site, designated as SDS4, was attributed to changes in control over the area, as stated by a GHF spokesperson.
Subsequent satellite imagery indicated that the site had been dismantled shortly after the ceasefire commenced, showing signs of disturbance. The GHF spokesperson mentioned the organization’s intention to resume operations, noting an ongoing need for aid. However, there is speculation regarding the inclusion of the GHF in the final terms of the ceasefire agreement.
Analysis of data from the United Nations suggests minimal change in aid collected from crossings after the ceasefire began. Although the daily average of aid shipments has seen a slight increase compared to the previous week, it aligns closely with figures from September. UN statistics indicate that around 20% of aid transported through crossings has successfully reached its recipients, with over 7,000 aid trucks reported as intercepted along the way.
A spokesperson from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) emphasized the necessity of restoring access to vulnerable populations in Gaza while highlighting barriers faced in terms of looting and unsafe conditions. They underscored the need for improved safety measures and the re-establishment of service points for effective aid distribution.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgjd783ywn3o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss