Sources say Gaza food sites run by US-Israeli-backed GHF are being shut down; group says it’s temporary

Food distribution sites run by the controversial US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation are being shut down under the terms of the current ceasefire deal, an Egyptian official and another official in the region tell The Associated Press.

A source familiar with the details confirms the development to The Times of Israel.

Multiple Palestinian witnesses tell the AP that three of GHF’s distribution sites have been abandoned, in the southern area of Rafah and in the Netzarim area of central Gaza. Palestinians, aid workers, and health officials have said the system forced aid-seekers to risk their lives to reach the sites by passing Israeli troops who opened fire to control crowds, killing hundreds. The Israeli military says it only fired warning shots.

Hoda Goda, a Palestinian woman, says the site she often went to in Rafah is vacant and Palestinians tore down structures, taking wood and metal fences. Video circulating online shows people walking away with scrap metal from the site in the Netzarim area of central Gaza. Israeli troops pulled out of part of Netzarim on Friday, under the terms of the ceasefire deal, and are due to withdraw from parts of Rafah later.

A third official, with knowledge of the situation, says the current plan is to rely on other aid agencies to supply Gaza. All three officials speak on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss the deal’s provisions.

A GHF spokesperson says there will be “tactical changes” to its operations and “temporary closures” of some sites over the next few days, during the transfer of the hostages to Israel.

“There is no change to our long-term plan,” the official says, on condition of anonymity, in accordance with the organization’s rules.