Gaza Herald_ The so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, backed by the United States and Israel, announced on Monday the end of its operations in the Gaza Strip, months after being tasked with distributing food aid under Israel’s tight restrictions on international agencies.
In a statement, the foundation claimed it had “completed its emergency mission in Gaza after providing more than 187 million free meals to civilians,” insisting that its operations were conducted “safely” and “without interference from Hamas or any other groups,” as it put it.
Widespread Palestinian and UN Rejection Since Its Establishment
Israel and the United States had entrusted the foundation with delivering aid to Gaza’s population, but international organizations and UN experts heavily criticized its performance.
The UN Human Rights Office confirmed that hundreds of Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire while attempting to reach the foundation’s distribution centers. Several UN special rapporteurs also called for the entity to be dismantled, arguing that it was exploited for covert military and geopolitical purposes.
The decision to end its mission comes at a time when the ceasefire agreement in Gaza remains extremely fragile, with Israel violating it daily, resulting in dozens of martyrs and wounded.
A “Humanitarian Trap” for Palestinians
Basil Khalaf, a journalist with Alaraby TV, said Palestinians “suffered greatly from deliberate starvation policies, especially from the way this foundation managed the distribution of aid.”
He added that thousands of Palestinians were injured while trying to reach its aid centers, describing widespread public distrust: “Residents never welcomed its presence. They see its departure as the end of a body that caused the deaths of hundreds and the injury of thousands.”
Khalaf pointed to earlier warnings issued by Palestinian factions and international organizations about engaging with the foundation, emphasizing that its closure does not mean that aid will flow more freely. “So far, no meaningful improvements have been seen,” he said, denying the foundation’s claim of having a “positive relationship” with Palestinians.
Few Centers, Enormous Damage
The foundation operated just four distribution centers inside Gaza — a stark contrast to the nearly 400 aid centers run by the United Nations’ humanitarian system.
After Hamas released the last surviving Israeli captives on October 13, the foundation confirmed to AFP that it had dismantled its fourth center, “SDS4,” in Khan Younis , effectively signaling the end of its presence in the Strip
