The controversial, US and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) says it is winding down its aid operations in the Palestinian territory, after almost six months.
The organisation had already suspended its three food distribution sites in Gaza after the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took effect six weeks ago.
The GHF aimed to bypass the UN as the main supplier of aid to Gaza's population. UN and other aid agencies refused to co-operate with its system, saying it was unethical and unsafe.
Hundreds of Palestinians were killed while seeking food amid chaotic scenes near GHF's sites, mostly by Israeli fire, according to the UN. Israel said its troops fired warning shots.
The GHF said on Monday that it was winding down operations now because of the successful completion of its emergency mission, with a total of three million packages containing the equivalent of more than 187 million meals delivered to Palestinians.
The GHF's executive director, Jon Acree, also said the US-led Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) would be adopting and expanding the model GHF piloted.
US state department spokesperson Tommy Piggott wrote on X: GHF's model, in which Hamas could no longer loot and profit from stealing aid, played a huge role in getting Hamas to the table and achieving a ceasefire.
Hamas welcomed the closure of the GHF, but a spokesperson called for accountability over the harm caused to Palestinians. Hazem Qassem stated that humanitarian organizations should not escape responsibility after causing the death and injury of thousands in Gaza.
The GHF began operations in Gaza on 26 May, a week after Israel partially eased a blockade on aid and commercial deliveries that caused severe shortages of essential supplies. Within three months, a famine was declared in Gaza City.
The GHF's distribution sites operated by US private security contractors were located inside Israeli military zones, leading to accusations of violating fundamental humanitarian principles of neutrality and safety.
The UN's human rights office noted that at least 859 Palestinians seeking food near GHF sites were killed during its operational period, attributed largely to Israeli military action. In contrast, the GHF rejected these figures, accusing the UN of using misleading statistics.
Amid recent developments, the future of the GHF had appeared uncertain following the ceasefire agreed upon by Hamas and Israel to implement a peace plan.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric mentioned that GHF's shutdown would not impact UN operations since it had never collaborated with them. He further emphasized that while more aid was entering Gaza post-ceasefire, it was still insufficient to meet the needs of the population.
