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Israel has suspended more than two dozen humanitarian organizations operating in the Gaza Strip, including prominent groups like Doctors Without Borders and CARE, for allegedly failing to comply with new registration requirements, officials announced Tuesday.
The Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs said approximately 15% of organizations working in Gaza had not met the new regulations, which require aid organizations to submit staff names, funding details, and operational information to continue their work. Israeli authorities claim these measures aim to prevent Hamas and other militant groups from infiltrating humanitarian operations.
“The message is clear: humanitarian assistance is welcome — the exploitation of humanitarian frameworks for terrorism is not,” said Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli in a statement.
Among the suspended organizations is Doctors Without Borders (MSF), one of the largest medical aid providers in Gaza. Israeli authorities alleged the group failed to address claims that some of its workers were affiliated with Hamas or Islamic Jihad, accusations MSF firmly denied.
“MSF would never knowingly employ people engaging in military activity,” the organization said in response. MSF officials warned the suspension would have devastating consequences for Gaza’s healthcare system, where they currently support approximately 20% of hospital beds and assist with a third of all births.
The new registration process, announced by Israel earlier this year, goes beyond standard operational disclosures. It includes ideological requirements that disqualify organizations that have called for boycotts against Israel, denied the October 7 Hamas attack, or expressed support for international court cases against Israeli soldiers or leaders.
Aid organizations have criticized these requirements as arbitrary and potentially harmful to Gaza’s population, which is still reeling from 15 months of conflict. Many groups expressed concerns about submitting staff lists, citing both European data protection laws and fears for their Palestinian employees’ safety.
“Not being able to send staff into Gaza means all of the workload falls on our exhausted local staff,” said Shaina Low of the Norwegian Refugee Council, another suspended organization. “Despite the ceasefire, the needs in Gaza are enormous, and yet we and dozens of other organizations are and will continue to be blocked from bringing in essential life-saving assistance.”
The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), Israel’s defense body overseeing humanitarian aid to Gaza, downplayed the impact of the suspensions, claiming affected organizations contribute less than 1% of the total aid entering Gaza. COGAT stated that over 20 organizations that received permits would continue operations.
“The registration process is intended to prevent the exploitation of aid by Hamas, which in the past operated under the cover of certain international aid organizations, knowingly or unknowingly,” COGAT said.
This latest move follows a pattern of Israeli restrictions on humanitarian operations in Gaza. In January, Israel banned the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) from operating on Israeli territory following allegations that some of its employees participated in the October 7 attack. The United States, formerly UNRWA’s largest donor, subsequently suspended funding to the agency.
Athena Rayburn, executive director of AIDA, an umbrella organization representing over 100 aid groups in Palestinian territories, said Israel failed to assure organizations that collected data wouldn’t be used for military or intelligence purposes. This raised significant security concerns, particularly given that more than 500 aid workers have been killed in Gaza during the conflict.
“Agreeing for a party to the conflict to vet our staff, especially under the conditions of occupation, is a violation of humanitarian principles, specifically neutrality and independence,” Rayburn explained. She added that organizations proposed alternatives such as third-party vetting, but Israeli authorities refused to engage in dialogue.
According to the ministry, affected organizations will have their licenses revoked on January 1, and those located in Israel must leave by March 1, though they may appeal the decision.
Meanwhile, violence continues in Gaza despite a fragile ceasefire. On Tuesday, Gaza’s Shifa Hospital reported that a 10-year-old girl was killed and another person wounded by Israeli fire near the Yellow Line demarcating areas under Israeli control in Gaza City. The Gaza Health Ministry, part of the Hamas-run government, reported that 71,266 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza during the conflict, a figure Israel disputes but hasn’t countered with its own statistics.
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6 Comments
This decision raises serious questions about Israel’s commitment to upholding international humanitarian law. Suspending aid groups will have devastating consequences for the people of Gaza. I hope Israel and the international community can find a constructive path forward.
This is a troubling move that could have severe consequences for Gazans. Suspending Doctors Without Borders and other major aid groups is deeply concerning. I hope Israel reconsiders and finds a way to allow these critical humanitarian operations to continue unimpeded.
While Israel cites security concerns, these NGOs provide essential services to vulnerable Gazans. I worry this decision will deprive many of basic healthcare, food, and other aid. A balanced approach that addresses both security and humanitarian needs is needed.
The situation in Gaza is complex, but denying humanitarian access seems short-sighted. These organizations play a vital role. I hope diplomatic efforts can find a way to ensure aid reaches those who desperately need it without compromising legitimate security interests.
Humanitarian aid is a fundamental human right. While security concerns are understandable, depriving Gazans of basic medical care and other essential services is unacceptable. I urge Israel to work with these organizations to find a resolution that protects both security and human welfare.
Suspending humanitarian aid groups in Gaza is a concerning development that could worsen the dire humanitarian situation there. I hope Israel and the organizations can find a resolution that allows crucial assistance to continue safely.