Switzerland branch of Gaza aid organisation to dissolve

Switzerland has launched proceedings to dissolve the Geneva branch of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US and Israeli-backed aid group operating in the war-torn Gaza Strip, within 30 days, Asharq Al-Awsat reported via Reuters on July 2nd.

Swiss authorities cited legal deficiencies in the group’s registration and operations in the country.

According to a notice published in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce, the Federal Supervisory Authority for Foundations (ESA) said the GHF failed to meet several legal requirements, such as having the right amount of board members, a postal address or a Swiss Bank account.

“GHF confirmed to the ESA that it had never carried out activities in Switzerland and that it intends to dissolve the Geneva-registered branch,” according to the ESA.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation began distributing food packages in Gaza in late May under a new aid model, which has faced international criticism. The United Nations has raised concerns over the group’s alleged lack of impartiality over the Gaza conflict and the lack of security conditions at its aid distribution centres.

Since its operations began, over 500 people have reportedly been killed near GHF aid distribution centres and access roads guarded by Israeli forces, according to Palestinian medical sources. Israel’s military acknowledged civilian casualties on June 30th and announced it had issued new guidelines to troops following “lessons learned.”

Despite the controversy, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation claims it has given over 52 million meals in five weeks, and has accused other organisations of losing much of their aid to looting.

Gaza continues to face severe shortages of food and essential supplies as Israel’s nearly two-year offensive against Hamas has devastated much of the enclave and displaced most of its two million residents.

Asharq-Al-Awsat via Reuters, Maghrebi.org