The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, supported by the U.S. and Israel to provide aid to Gaza outside the UN framework, announced it would cease operations after the recent ceasefire in Gaza. The foundation claimed to have accomplished its mission of demonstrating a more effective way to deliver aid to Gazans.
Operating under secrecy with undisclosed funding sources and armed contractors, the foundation aimed to prevent aid diversion by Hamas. However, reports from Palestinians, aid workers, and health officials indicated that accessing aid sites involved risking lives due to encounters with Israeli soldiers, resulting in casualties.
GHF acknowledged the risks faced by people traveling to the aid sites but denied violence at the distribution centers. The organization stated that it would transfer its responsibilities to the U.S.-led Civil-Military Coordination Center in Israel.
The United Nations opposed GHF’s establishment, expressing concerns that it gave Israel control over food distribution and could lead to Palestinian displacement. Throughout the conflict, the UN, along with other aid groups, conducted extensive humanitarian efforts to provide essential supplies to Gaza.
Amid these developments, the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group located the body of a hostage in an area controlled by the Israeli army in Gaza. The ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel paused the conflict but left unresolved disputes for future negotiations.
As part of the truce, Hamas released surviving hostages and prisoners in exchange for Palestinian detainees held by Israel. The agreement also involved returning the remains of hostages and militants. Both parties have accused each other of violating commitments in the agreement and resisting subsequent steps outlined in President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza.
The conflict, which started with a Hamas-led attack in 2023, has resulted in a significant number of casualties, with a high toll on Palestinians, including women and children. Gaza’s Health Ministry, managed by medical professionals, maintains detailed casualty records that are considered reliable by experts.