Gaza Humanitarian Foundation hubs dismantled, abandoned amid ceasefire

• Aid hubs run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in Gaza have been dismantled.
• Over 100 aid trucks entered Gaza on Sunday under the ceasefire between 'Israel' and Hamas.
• GHF sites, backed by the US and 'Israel', were abandoned in Rafah and the Netzarim Corridor.
• Gaza health ministry reports over 2,500 Palestinians killed at or near GHF sites since May.

Aid distribution hubs in Gaza run by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) have been dismantled, as more than 100 aid trucks entered the territory on Sunday under the newly brokered ceasefire between 'Israel' and Hamas.

Egyptian and regional officials told the Associated Press (AP) that the closures involved sites operated by the US- and 'Israel'-backed contractor, which had sought to dominate aid delivery and sideline the United Nations. Palestinian witnesses reported that three GHF-managed locations, including those in southern Rafah and the Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza, had been abandoned.

Since beginning operations in May, GHF sites have been linked to violent incidents. Gaza’s health ministry reports that 'Israeli' forces killed more than 2,500 Palestinians at these sites or while waiting for aid trucks. Al Jazeera noted that remnants of 'Israeli' munitions were found at the abandoned locations.

A GHF spokesperson described the closures as “temporary,” promising “tactical changes” while emphasizing that “there is no change to our long-term plan.” US officials cited by the AP indicated there are no plans to halt funding entirely but suggested the foundation could assist UN agencies in aid distribution.

- UN ramps up aid amid widespread devastation -

Meanwhile, the United Nations is preparing to take over large-scale aid delivery in Gaza. Gaza’s government media office confirmed that 173 aid trucks entered the territory on Sunday, including shipments of cooking gas and diesel fuel for bakeries, hospitals, and generators.

Authorities warned that the current aid flow remains insufficient to address the humanitarian crisis. The UN estimates that at least 600 trucks per day are needed to meet the needs of Gaza’s starving population, while the current ceasefire plan led by US President Donald Trump anticipates 400 trucks daily.

The UN has stockpiled 170,000 metric tonnes of aid outside Gaza, ready for distribution. Humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher acknowledged that deliveries were “already falling below the level we had hoped for” but vowed to push forward. “Much of Gaza is a wasteland,” he said. “But I'm absolutely determined that we will not fail… We will strain every sinew to deliver for the people of Gaza.”

While the UN will oversee large-scale aid operations, the role of its Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA, remains uncertain. UNRWA insists its expertise is essential in preventing famine, noting that half of the supplies stored outside Gaza belong to the agency.

The humanitarian toll in Gaza has been severe. Since 'Israel’s' military campaign began in October 2023, an estimated 460 Palestinians have died from starvation. The global hunger monitor declared famine in Gaza in August, while UNICEF warned of a “massive spike in child death,” citing weakened immune systems among infants.