A coalition of twelve nations, including major European powers, Canada, and Japan, has issued a joint statement expressing grave apprehension over the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza. The announcement comes in the wake of Israel's decision to revoke the operating licenses of 37 international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) that have been providing critical aid in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. This move, which will see the organizations cease operations within 60 days of their licenses being suspended on January 1st, has drawn widespread international condemnation and raised fears of a further catastrophic decline in the region's already dire humanitarian landscape.
The joint statement, released on Tuesday, urged Israel to take immediate remedial action, facilitate the unimpeded operation of NGOs, guarantee the vital work of United Nations agencies, and dismantle what it termed "unreasonable restrictions" on the import of essential supplies, including medical equipment and shelter materials. It also called for the opening of border crossings to ensure the unfettered flow of humanitarian assistance. This coordinated diplomatic pressure underscores the escalating international alarm regarding the blockade of aid and the potential ramifications for millions of vulnerable individuals.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry, however, has pushed back against the international criticism, characterising the joint statement as "detached criticism and one-sided demands." A spokesperson asserted that the statement "blatantly ignored the significant improvement in the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip since the ceasefire came into effect" and failed to acknowledge the necessity of disarming Hamas. Israel maintains that the INGOs failed to comply with new registration prerequisites, specifically citing a lack of "complete" personal details for their staff. Conversely, the affected INGOs argue that furnishing such information could jeopardise the safety of their personnel, a concern echoed by international human rights advocates.
The European Union's humanitarian chief, Hadja Lahbib, unequivocally stated that Israel's plans to expel these organisations from Gaza equate to "blocking life-saving aid." This sentiment was amplified by the UN human rights chief, Volker Türk, who denounced the suspensions as "outrageous" and "arbitrary," warning that they would exacerbate an "already intolerable situation." The Humanitarian Country Team for the Occupied Palestinian Territory has also voiced profound concern, asserting that the absence of these INGOs will render it "impossible to meet all urgent needs at the scale required."
The crisis has been unfolding against a backdrop of intense conflict that began in October with the Hamas-led attack on Israel, followed by extensive Israeli military operations in Gaza. While a global hunger monitor reported in December that famine conditions were no longer present, the ongoing restrictions and the impending expulsion of key humanitarian actors threaten to reverse any progress made. The implications for the civilian population in Gaza and the occupied West Bank are severe, potentially leading to the collapse of essential services and a further descent into a humanitarian catastrophe. The international community now faces the urgent challenge of navigating diplomatic tensions while striving to ensure that vital assistance reaches those most in need amidst this escalating crisis.