**Jerusalem, Israel –** In a move that has drawn sharp criticism from international allies, Israel has announced its intention to revoke the operating licenses of 37 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, effective January 1st. The decision, which will see the organisations cease their activities within 60 days of the license suspension, has ignited concerns over the already precarious humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territories.
The Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs cited the organisations' failure to comply with new registration mandates as the primary catalyst for this sweeping measure. Specifically, the ministry pointed to the NGOs' refusal to furnish comprehensive and verifiable personal details of their staff. According to Israeli authorities, this information is deemed essential for bolstering security and preventing the potential infiltration of individuals with alleged ties to militant groups into humanitarian operations. The ministry asserted that humanitarian aid would continue to be channelled through established and approved mechanisms, aiming to allay fears of a complete cessation of vital assistance.
However, the pronouncement has been met with significant disapproval from a coalition of ten foreign ministers, representing nations including the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and Japan. In a joint statement, these ministers unequivocally condemned the new regulations as "restrictive" and "unacceptable." They underscored the potential for severe repercussions on the delivery of critical services, including healthcare, to vulnerable populations in Gaza. The ministers’ collective stance highlights a growing international apprehension regarding Israel's actions and their humanitarian ramifications.
This development unfolds against a backdrop of ongoing conflict and a fragile ceasefire brokered between Israel and Hamas in October. Even prior to this latest regulatory action, reports from UN-backed experts painted a grim picture of conditions in Gaza. A month following the ceasefire, these experts documented that an estimated 100,000 individuals were experiencing "catastrophic" levels of food insecurity and nutritional deprivation. The revocation of licenses for such a substantial number of aid groups, including prominent international organisations such as ActionAid, the International Rescue Committee, and the Norwegian Refugee Council, is widely expected to exacerbate these dire circumstances.
The Israeli government maintains that the new registration rules are a necessary security prerogative, designed to ensure that humanitarian aid is not inadvertently exploited by hostile elements. The requirement for detailed staff information is presented as a crucial safeguard against potential security breaches. Nonetheless, the timing and scale of the license revocations have amplified concerns among humanitarian bodies and international observers, who fear that the practical implications will far outweigh any perceived security benefits. The coming weeks will be critical in determining how humanitarian aid delivery will be reconfigured and whether the international community's appeals for a reconsideration of these stringent measures will yield any tangible results.