Israel has announced the suspension of more than 30 humanitarian organisations, including Doctors Without Borders and CARE, from operating in the Gaza Strip. The move follows claims that the groups failed to comply with new registration rules designed to prevent Hamas and other militant groups from infiltrating aid efforts.
The new regulations require aid organisations to register their workers' names and provide details about funding and operations. They also include ideological requirements, such as disqualifying groups that have called for boycotts against Israel, denied the October 7 attack, or expressed support for international court cases against Israeli soldiers or leaders.
Israel's diaspora affairs ministry stated that about 15% of organisations operating in Gaza had not complied. Minister Amichai Chikli said, 'The message is clear: humanitarian assistance is welcome — the exploitation of humanitarian frameworks for terrorism is not.' The ministry also noted that Doctors Without Borders had not responded to claims that some of its workers were affiliated with Hamas or Islamic Jihad.
Doctors Without Borders, known by its French acronym MSF, warned that the decision would have a catastrophic impact on their work, as they support around 20% of hospital beds and a third of births in Gaza. The organisation denied the accusations, stating, 'MSF would never knowingly employ people engaging in military activity.'
The Norwegian Refugee Council, also suspended, criticised the timing, saying the needs in Gaza remain enormous despite a fragile ceasefire. Shaina Low, a communications adviser, noted that not being able to send international staff forces all work onto exhausted local staff. Some groups cited safety and legal concerns for not submitting lists of Palestinian staff, fearing they could be targeted by Israel.
The decision means aid groups' licences will be revoked on 1 January, with those based in Israel required to leave by 1 March. Affected organisations can appeal. Meanwhile, a joint statement from several countries, including Britain, Canada, and France, expressed serious concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and called on Israel to take urgent action, including lifting restrictions on imports and opening border crossings.
