Israel announced that it will ban 37 humanitarian organizations from operating in Gaza, citing their failure to meet “security and transparency standards.”
Israel has ordered 37 international NGOs, which were previously required to provide detailed information about their Palestinian staff, to cease transferring aid to the Gaza Strip.
Agence France-Presse reported that the organizations had been given until March 1 to comply with the new standards, or risk having their operations completely banned.
Several NGOs said the requirements violate international humanitarian law and threaten their independence.
Israel stated that the regulations were aimed at preventing organizations it considers “terror-linked” from operating.
The United Nations has warned that halting the activities of these 37 organizations will exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in war-torn Gaza.
Prominent humanitarian groups affected include Médecins Sans Frontières, the Norwegian Refugee Council, and World Vision. Israel has accused Médecins Sans Frontières of employing two staff members linked to Hamas and other armed Palestinian groups. The organization responded, stating it “never knowingly hires individuals engaged in military activities.”
Israel first issued a 10-month deadline in March for Gaza-based NGOs to align with the new regulations, which require full disclosure of staff, financial resources, and operational structures. The deadline expired Wednesday, and a day later, Israel announced the revocation of the organizations’ licenses.
Officials told AFP that following the license cancellations, the aid groups will no longer be allowed to deliver shipments to Gaza.
