Israel has announced a decision to ban 37 international humanitarian organisations from operating in Gaza.
The decision, which takes effect in stages from January 2026, has been described as shocking by the United Nations and aid groups.
In a statement released on Thursday, January 1, the Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism said the affected organisations failed to meet new security rules.
The ministry explained that the groups did not submit full details of their Palestinian staff before a set deadline.
“Organisations that have failed to meet required security and transparency standards will have their licenses suspended,” the ministry said.
According to the statement, enforcement actions will follow, and all affected NGOs must stop operating by March 1, 2026.
Meanwhile, the organisations were formally informed that their licences would be revoked from January 1, 2026.
Israel said the ten-month compliance window expired on Wednesday, therefore triggering the decision.
The government insists the new rules are meant to prevent aid systems from being misused by militant groups.
“The primary failure identified was the refusal to provide complete and verifiable information regarding their employees,” the ministry said.
It added that this requirement was “designed to prevent the infiltration of terrorist operatives into humanitarian structures.”
Minister Amichai Chikli defended the move, saying, “The message is clear: humanitarian assistance is welcome the exploitation of humanitarian frameworks for terrorism is not.”
However, the announcement has drawn fierce criticism from humanitarian organisations and international bodies.
Several major aid groups are affected, including Doctors Without Borders, World Vision International, and Oxfam.
Israel accused Doctors Without Borders of employing individuals allegedly linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
In response, the organisation rejected the allegation, saying the demand for staff lists “may be in violation of Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law.”
It also stressed that it “would never knowingly employ people engaging in military activity.”
Furthermore, 18 Israeli-based left-wing NGOs condemned the ban in a joint statement.
They said the policy “violates core humanitarian principles of independence and neutrality.”
“This weaponisation of bureaucracy institutionalises barriers to aid,” the groups warned.
United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk also criticised the move, calling it “outrageous.”
“Such arbitrary suspensions make an already intolerable situation even worse for the people of Gaza,” he said.
In addition, UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini warned of a “dangerous precedent.”
He said attempts to control aid work undermine neutrality and humanity worldwide.
The ban on NGOs in Gaza comes despite repeated international appeals for increased humanitarian access.
Earlier this week, foreign ministers from 10 countries described conditions in Gaza as “catastrophic.”
Although a fragile ceasefire has been in place since October, suffering remains widespread.
According to UN data, nearly 80 percent of buildings have been damaged, while 1.5 million people are displaced.
