Israel Bans Several Aid Groups From Gaza Amid Tensions

Israel Announces Suspension of Permits for Aid Organizations in Gaza

The Israeli Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism has announced that it will suspend permits for over 37 aid organizations operating in war-devastated Gaza, effective January 1, 2026. The decision comes after these organizations failed to meet new requirements for sharing detailed information about their staff, funding, and operations.

The Ministry stated that the measure is part of Israel’s efforts to “strengthen and update” the rules overseeing international NGOs operating in the Palestinian territory. Humanitarian organizations that fail to comply with security and transparency requirements will have their licenses suspended, according to the ministry.

Among the affected organizations are several major international aid agencies, including Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which has been accused of employing individuals with alleged links to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad without providing evidence for its claims. MSF has stated that it would never knowingly employ people engaging in military activity, as they would pose a danger to staff and patients.

The decision is likely to worsen the already dire conditions for Palestinians in Gaza, who rely heavily on aid organizations for essential services such as healthcare, food distribution, shelter, water, sanitation, education, and psychological support. The suspension of these organizations’ permits will disrupt their operations and potentially impact the delivery of life-saving assistance to the population.

Foreign ministers from countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Japan, and the Nordic states have expressed concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and urged Israel to ensure NGOs can operate “sustained and predictable” aid deliveries.

Source: Al Jazeera