At a Glance
- Israel suspended more than 30 humanitarian groups in Gaza for non-compliance with new registration rules.
- The rules require staff names, funding details, and bar groups that support boycotts or criticize Hamas attacks.
- The ban comes less than three months into a fragile ceasefire, threatening essential aid.
- Why it matters: The suspension could cut life-saving support to Gaza’s civilians while Israel insists the measures prevent aid misuse.
Israel announced that it has halted operations for over 30 aid organisations operating in Gaza, citing new registration rules that the government says are designed to stop militant groups from infiltrating humanitarian work. The decision, made during a fragile ceasefire, has drawn criticism from the suspended groups, which warn it will harm civilians in desperate need of assistance.
New Registration Rules and Israel’s Rationale
The Ministry of Diaspora Affairs said the new rules require organisations to register staff names, provide details about funding and operations, and exclude groups that have called for boycotts against Israel, denied the Oct. 7 attack or supported international court cases against Israeli soldiers or leaders.
- Register staff names
- Provide funding and operational details
- Disqualify groups supporting boycotts or denying Oct. 7 attack
- Disqualify groups supporting international court cases against Israeli soldiers or leaders
Impact on Humanitarian Work
The suspended organisations say the timing is devastating, as it comes less than three months into a fragile ceasefire, and they fear the ban will cut essential life-saving aid.
- Cuts 20% of hospital beds and a third of births covered by Doctors Without Borders
- Leaves exhausted local staff to handle all workload
- Raises fears that staff lists may expose workers to targeting
Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli stated:
> “The message is clear: humanitarian assistance is welcome – the exploitation of humanitarian frameworks for terrorism is not.”
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said:
> “MSF would never knowingly employ people engaging in military activity.”
Shaina Low, communications adviser for the Norwegian Refugee Council said:
> “Not being able to send staff into Gaza means all of the workload falls on our exhausted local staff.”
Athena Rayburn, executive director of AIDA said:
> “Agreeing for a party to the conflict to vet our staff, especially under the conditions of occupation, is a violation of humanitarian principles, specifically neutrality and independence.”
COGAT said:
> “The registration process is intended to prevent the exploitation of aid by Hamas, which in the past operated under the cover of certain international aid organizations, knowingly or unknowingly.”
Israeli defense body said:
> “The organizations on the list contribute less than 1% of the total aid going into the Gaza Strip, and that aid will continue to enter from more than 20 organizations that did receive permits to continue operating.”
Legal and Security Concerns
Aid groups argue the new rules are vague and could be used for military or intelligence purposes, citing the death of more than 500 aid workers in Gaza during the war.
- Data may be used for military intelligence
- Staff lists could expose workers to targeting
- European data protection laws hinder submission of Palestinian staff lists
Broader Context
Israel has previously accused UNRWA of being infiltrated by Hamas and banned the agency from operating on Israeli territory in January. The United States halted funding to UNRWA in early 2024.
The ban, effective Jan. 1 with a March 1 exit deadline for Israeli offices, underscores Israel’s commitment to curbing perceived aid misuse, while humanitarian groups warn that the move threatens to deprive Gaza’s civilians of essential support.
Key Takeaways
- Israel has suspended over 30 humanitarian groups in Gaza for not meeting new registration rules.
- The rules require staff names, funding details and ban groups supporting boycotts or denying Hamas attacks.
- The suspension threatens life-saving aid to Gaza’s civilians amid a fragile ceasefire.
As the ceasefire hangs in balance, the international community watches how Israel’s new regulations will shape the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
