Israel is set to revoke the licenses of 37 international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) operating in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, citing their failure to comply with new registration regulations. The suspension, scheduled to take effect on January 1, will require the affected organizations, including ActionAid, International Rescue Committee, Médecins Sans Frontières, and the Norwegian Refugee Council, to cease operations within 60 days.
Israeli authorities stated that the INGOs did not provide "complete" personal details of their staff, among other requirements. The INGOs contend that providing such information could endanger their personnel.
Ten countries have condemned the decision, warning of its severe impact on access to essential services in the region. In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the UK, France, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland emphasized the integral role of INGOs in the humanitarian response in Gaza and deemed any attempts to hinder their operations as "unacceptable." The statement further asserted that without the INGOs, meeting the urgent needs at the required scale would be impossible.
The European Union's humanitarian chief echoed these concerns.
The move comes amid a complex geopolitical landscape in the region. Gaza, a territory of approximately two million people, has been under blockade by Israel and Egypt since 2007, following Hamas's takeover. This blockade has severely restricted the movement of people and goods, leading to a dire humanitarian situation. The occupied West Bank, meanwhile, has been subject to Israeli military control since 1967, with ongoing tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.
The affected INGOs provide a range of critical services, including healthcare, food assistance, education, and psychosocial support to vulnerable populations in Gaza and the West Bank. Their presence is particularly crucial in Gaza, where the healthcare system has been crippled by years of conflict and the blockade.
The new registration rules imposed by Israel have been criticized by human rights organizations as being overly burdensome and designed to stifle dissent. Critics argue that the rules are part of a broader effort to delegitimize and silence organizations that are critical of Israeli policies. The Israeli government maintains that the rules are necessary to ensure transparency and accountability in the aid sector.
The revocation of licenses is expected to exacerbate the already precarious humanitarian situation in Gaza and the West Bank. The United Nations and other international organizations have repeatedly called for an end to the blockade of Gaza and for greater access for humanitarian aid. The suspension of these INGOs will further complicate efforts to address the urgent needs of the Palestinian population. The situation remains fluid, and diplomatic efforts are underway to try to resolve the issue and prevent the suspension of the INGOs' operations.
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