In brief
Israel's decision to revoke the licenses of 37 international NGOs working in Gaza has sparked global outrage, with leaders from the UK and EU emphasizing the potential humanitarian crisis that could ensue. The organizations, which include prominent groups like Médecins Sans Frontières and the Norwegian Refugee Council, face operational shutdowns beginning January 1 due to claims of non-compliance with registration requirements. The move is criticized as likely to severely impede access to vital services in an area already under immense pressure due to ongoing conflict.
Israel is to revoke the licences of 37 international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) working in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, saying they failed to meet requirements under new registration rules.
ActionAid, International Rescue Committee, Médecins Sans Frontières and Norwegian Refugee Council are among the aid agencies which will have their licences suspended on 1 January, with their operations to end within 60 days.
Israel said they had, among other things, failed to hand over 'complete' personal details of their staff. The INGOs said that could put them at risk.
The move was condemned by 10 countries, which said the rules would have a severe impact on access to essential services.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the UK, France, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland said INGOs were integral to the humanitarian response in Gaza and that any attempt to stem their ability to operate was 'unacceptable'.
'Without them, it will be impossible to meet all urgent needs at the scale required,' they warned.
The European Union's humanitarian chief, Hadja Lahbib, stated: 'Israel's plans to block INGOs in Gaza means blocking life-saving aid.'
International humanitarian law 'leaves no room for doubt: aid must reach those in need,' she added.
The Humanitarian Country Team of the Occupied Palestinian Territory - a forum of UN agencies and over 200 local and international NGOs - urged the Israeli authorities to reconsider the registration decisions.
It has said INGOs run or support most of Gaza's critical healthcare services, emergency shelter responses, and vital water and sanitation services.
Israel's ministry of diaspora affairs claimed the new measures would not impact the flow of humanitarian assistance to Gaza, stating that aid continued through 'approved and vetted channels,' including UN agencies.
Contrarily, criticism from affected INGOs highlights fears that these restrictions risk escalating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Several organizations have already expressed deep concern over the loss of operational capacity, with potential implications for millions dependent on their aid.
Beyond the immediate suspension of aid, the new regulations could signal tighter control over humanitarian efforts, leading to significant operational challenges in an already volatile region.
The war in Gaza has left over 71,260 people dead since the escalation of violence began in October 2023, exacerbating an ongoing humanitarian crisis.
