Israel Bars Over 30 Humanitarian Organisations From Operating in Gaza

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GAZA CITY/JERUSALEM:  Israel said it had suspended more than two dozen humanitarian organisations, including Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and CARE, from operating in the Gaza Strip for failing to comply with new registration requirements, drawing sharp criticism from aid groups who warned the move would further harm civilians in need.

Israel said the measures are intended to prevent Hamas and other militant groups from infiltrating humanitarian organisations. Aid groups, however, described the rules as arbitrary and said the suspensions would severely limit life-saving assistance in Gaza, where humanitarian needs remain acute despite a fragile ceasefire.

The new regulations, announced earlier this year, require aid organizations to register staff names and provide detailed information about funding and operations. They also include ideological provisions, disqualifying groups that have supported boycotts of Israel, denied the October 7 attack, or expressed support for international court cases against Israeli soldiers or officials.

Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs said more than 30 organizations, roughly 15% of aid groups operating in Gaza, failed to comply and would have their licenses suspended. The ministry said Doctors Without Borders did not adequately respond to Israeli claims that some of its staff were affiliated with Hamas or Islamic Jihad.

“The message is clear: humanitarian assistance is welcome — the exploitation of humanitarian frameworks for terrorism is not,” Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli said.

Doctors Without Borders rejected the allegations, warning that Israel’s decision would have a “catastrophic impact” on its work. The group said it supports about 20% of hospital beds and one-third of births in Gaza, and denied knowingly employing anyone involved in military activity.

Aid organizations said the suspensions come at a critical time. “Despite the ceasefire, the needs in Gaza are enormous,” said Shaina Low of the Norwegian Refugee Council, which was also affected. She said blocking international staff would place an unsustainable burden on exhausted local workers.

Several groups said they declined to submit lists of Palestinian staff due to safety concerns and European data protection laws, citing the deaths of hundreds of aid workers during the war.

Under the decision, the affected organizations will have their licenses revoked on January 1 and, if based in Israel, must leave by March 1, though they may appeal. Israel’s military aid coordination body, COGAT, said the suspended groups account for less than 1% of total aid entering Gaza and that assistance would continue through more than 20 approved organizations.

COGAT said the registration process was meant to prevent Hamas from exploiting humanitarian operations, knowingly or unknowingly. Israel has long accused militant groups of diverting aid, allegations the United Nations and aid agencies have repeatedly denied.

The move follows Israel’s earlier ban on UNRWA, the main U.N. agency aiding Palestinians, after Israel accused it of Hamas infiltration — claims the United Nations disputes. The United States halted funding to UNRWA in early 2024.

Aid groups also raised concerns about how Israel might use collected staff data. Athena Rayburn, head of AIDA, an umbrella group representing more than 100 organisations, said Israel failed to guarantee the information would not be used for military or intelligence purposes. “Allowing a party to the conflict to vet our staff violates humanitarian principles of neutrality and independence,” she said.

Meanwhile, Gaza’s Shifa Hospital said a 10-year-old girl was killed and another person wounded by Israeli fire near Gaza City’s Yellow Line, which marks areas under Israeli control. The Israeli military did not immediately comment, but has said troops will target anyone approaching or threatening soldiers near the line.

Gaza’s Health Ministry said more than 71,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began. While Israel disputes the figures, the United Nations and independent experts consider the ministry’s data the most reliable available.