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Israel Enforces Ban on Aid Groups in Palestinian Territories Despite UN Warnings

Israel has enforced new regulations revoking the licenses of dozens of aid organizations operating in Gaza and the West Bank, citing non-compliance with requirements to submit detailed staff information. A government review identified 37 organizations that failed to meet the new rules, which Israel says are intended to bar groups allegedly supporting militant activity. The move comes despite a joint statement from 19 senior UN and international aid officials warning the ban could have "devastating" consequences, particularly in Gaza where winter conditions and acute food insecurity are worsening. These organizations collectively deliver nearly $1 billion in assistance annually to a region where over two years of conflict have left Gaza in ruins, with tens of thousands killed and widespread hunger.

Key Points: Israel Bans Aid Groups from Gaza, West Bank; UN Warns of Crisis

  • 37 organizations banned
  • UN warns of devastating impact
  • Rules target alleged militant support
  • Gaza faces winter and food crisis
  • Over $1 billion in annual aid at risk
2 min read

Israel says new rules barring some aid groups from Palestinian territories take effect

Israel enforces new regulations banning dozens of aid organizations from Gaza and West Bank, despite UN warnings of devastating humanitarian consequences.

"banning NGOs risks undermining the fragile progress made during the ceasefire - Joint UN and aid agency statement"

Jerusalem, Jan 1

Israel said Thursday that new regulations banning access of dozens of aid organizations to Gaza and the West Bank had come into force, despite calls by UN agencies and international humanitarian groups to halt the move.

Minister for Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli said organisations had been given 10 months to submit detailed information about their staff, with the deadline expiring at midnight on Wednesday. Groups that failed to meet the new requirements "had their licenses revoked today," he said, without specifying how many were affected.

An Israeli government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a review by the Ministry for Diaspora Affairs identified 37 organisations that did not comply with the new regulations, Xinhua news agency reported. Israel says the rules are intended to bar organisations it alleges have supported militant activity from operating in the Palestinian territories.

The announcement came a day after senior officials from 19 UN humanitarian agencies and major international aid organisations urged Israel to reconsider the new measure, warning it could have "devastating" consequences.

"In Gaza in particular, as winter compounds families' suffering, as high acute food insecurity persists and as the need for life-saving aid is as critical as ever, banning NGOs risks undermining the fragile progress made during the ceasefire," they said in a joint statement.

Signatories to the statement included Tom Fletcher, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator; Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation; Amy E Pope, Director-General of the International Organisation for Migration; Volker Turk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; Alexander De Croo, Administrator of the UN Development Programme; Catherine Russell, Executive Director of the UN Children's Fund; Sima Bahous, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women; and Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation, among others.

International organisations collectively deliver close to 1 billion US dollars in assistance each year, according to the statement.

More than two years of Israeli assaults in Gaza have left the enclave in ruins, causing widespread hunger and malnutrition, and killing at least 71,269 people while injuring 171,232 others, according to Gaza-based health authorities.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
While Israel has legitimate security concerns, this move seems counterproductive. A blanket ban on 37 organizations will hurt the most vulnerable—children, women, the elderly. India has always believed in dialogue and humanitarian access. Hope they reconsider for the sake of innocent lives.
A
Aman W
The numbers are staggering—over 70,000 killed. How much more suffering? If an organization is funneling aid to militants, by all means act against them. But a transparent, case-by-case review is needed, not a sweeping order that halts a billion dollars in assistance. This is a policy failure.
S
Sarah B
From an Indian perspective, we understand complex security scenarios. But we also have a deep-seated belief in 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'—the world is one family. Starvation as a weapon is unacceptable. The international community, including India, must push for a more balanced approach.
K
Karthik V
They had 10 months to submit information. If 37 groups failed to comply, it raises serious questions about their operations. No country can allow unchecked foreign NGOs. However, the timing is terrible—winter, ceasefire progress at risk. A phased implementation would have been wiser.
M
Meera T
As a mother, reading about children suffering from malnutrition while aid is blocked... it's too much. The joint statement by all those UN heads says everything. This isn't about politics anymore, it's basic humanity. Hope sense prevails soon. 🙏

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