Israel’s government confirmed Thursday it banned access to Gaza for 37 major international humanitarian organizations, citing failure to submit staff lists now mandatory for “security” reasons. Permits expired, barring aid provision; groups have two months to withdraw teams. By March 1, compliant submissions will be reviewed after 10 months of refusal. Diaspora and Anti-Semitism Ministry spokesperson Gilad Tzvik told AFP the measure prevents “terrorist infiltration” into aid structures. Minister Amichai Chikli stressed: “Humanitarian aid welcome, its terrorist exploitation not.”
The policy sparks fears of aid delays in war-ravaged Gaza, where most residents need urgent shelter, care, and food after two years of conflict. It implies monitoring of Palestinian staff, deemed illegal by some NGOs.
International backlash and NGO responses
Global criticism mounted as the Wednesday midnight deadline passed without compliance. MSF reported no Israeli “guarantees” or clarifications on the “worrying” demand. NRC’s Seina Low decried two years of efforts to “hinder and marginalize” humanitarians; foreign staff provide exhausted locals added aid and safety. NRC refused identities, offering alternatives rejected.
EU demanded removal of aid barriers Wednesday. UN High Commissioner Volker Turk called arbitrary expulsions worsening Gaza’s “unbearable” situation under fragile October 10 ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. UNRWA Commissioner Philippe Lazzarini labeled it a “dangerous precedent,” decrying contempt for humanitarian law and multiplied obstacles, after Israel’s 2024 UNRWA ban over alleged October 7 involvement.
Seventeen left-leaning Israeli groups condemned the move as undermining aid, endangering staff and communities, and breaching data protection by politicizing help and exposing workers to surveillance and attacks.
Aid flow amid ongoing war
Tensions trace to Hamas’s October 7, 2023, southern Israel assault sparking war. COGAT (Israeli Defense Ministry Palestinian affairs) reports 4,200 trucks weekly into Gaza (600 daily per ceasefire), but NGOs/UN say only 100-300 carry humanitarian goods.
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