Wed Dec 31 00:07:00 UTC 2025: News Article:

Israel Suspends Aid Organizations in Gaza Amid Controversy

Jerusalem – December 31, 2025 – Israel has suspended over two dozen humanitarian organizations, including Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and CARE, from operating in the Gaza Strip, citing non-compliance with new registration rules. The Israeli government asserts the regulations are necessary to prevent Hamas and other militant groups from infiltrating aid operations. However, the affected organizations vehemently deny any links to terrorism and condemn the move as a drastic measure that will severely hamper their ability to provide critical assistance to the Palestinian population.

The new rules, introduced earlier this year, require aid groups to register their workers’ names, provide detailed financial information, and adhere to ideological requirements, including refraining from supporting boycotts against Israel or expressing support for legal action against Israeli soldiers or leaders.

Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli stated, “Humanitarian assistance is welcome – the exploitation of humanitarian frameworks for terrorism is not.”

Aid organizations, however, argue that these requirements are arbitrary and a violation of humanitarian principles. Doctors Without Borders, a major provider of medical care in Gaza, refuted allegations of staff affiliations with Hamas and warned that the suspension would have a catastrophic impact on their work, which supports a significant portion of hospital beds and births in the region.

Shaina Low, of the Norwegian Refugee Council, another suspended organization, criticized the timing, stating the needs in Gaza remain enormous despite the fragile ceasefire. Several aid groups have refused to submit lists of Palestinian staff, citing safety concerns and European data protection laws.

The suspensions will take effect on January 1, 2026, with affected organizations given until March to close their offices in Israel and East Jerusalem. While Israel claims the suspended organizations contribute less than 1% of the total aid entering Gaza, aid groups say otherwise.

The Israeli defense body COGAT, responsible for overseeing humanitarian aid to Gaza, maintained the registration process is intended to prevent Hamas’ exploitation of aid.

This action follows previous accusations by Israel against the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and its facilities, of being infiltrated by Hamas, which led to a ban on UNRWA operations on Israeli territory and a halt to funding from the U.S.

Concerns have been raised that the data collected through the new regulations could be used for military or intelligence purposes. Athena Rayburn, the executive director of AIDA, said that organizations expressed their concerns and offered alternatives to submitting staff lists, such as third-party vetting, but that Israel refused to engage in any dialogue.

Amid this controversy, a 10-year-old Palestinian girl was killed by Israeli fire near the Yellow Line in Gaza City on Tuesday, according to Shifa Hospital, further exacerbating tensions in the region.

The Gaza Health Ministry reports that over 71,266 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza so far.

Read More