Tue Dec 30 20:30:10 UTC 2025: Israel Bans Major Aid Groups from Gaza Amid Humanitarian Crisis Concerns
Gaza Strip – Israel is set to ban over two dozen humanitarian organizations, including prominent groups like Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and Oxfam, from operating in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip. The decision, which goes into effect on Thursday, is based on claims that the organizations failed to comply with new Israeli regulations requiring detailed information on staffing, funding, and operations.
Israeli officials accuse some groups, particularly MSF, of having staff members with ties to Hamas, alleging they cooperated with the group. Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli stated that while humanitarian assistance is welcome, the exploitation of humanitarian frameworks for terrorism will not be tolerated.
MSF has denied the accusations, emphasizing that it would never knowingly employ individuals involved in military activity. The organization warned that the ban would have catastrophic consequences for its work in Gaza, where it supports a significant portion of hospital beds and deliveries. Other major organizations affected include the Norwegian Refugee Council, CARE International, and the International Rescue Committee.
International organizations have criticized the new regulations as arbitrary, citing concerns that submitting lists of Palestinian staff members could expose them to targeting by Israeli forces.
“In Gaza, we saw hundreds of aid workers get killed,” said Shaina Low, communications adviser for the Norwegian Refugee Council. “Not being able to send staff into Gaza means all of the workload falls on our exhausted local staff.”
Palestine NGOs Network also condemned the decision as an attempt to deepen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and force Palestinians out.
The move comes as ten European countries plus Canada and Japan have expressed “serious concerns” about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, highlighting the appalling conditions faced by civilians, including a lack of shelter, partially functional health facilities, and a collapse of sanitation infrastructure. They urged Israel to ensure sustained access for international NGOs and open land crossings to increase aid flow.
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed the joint statement as “false but unsurprising,” accusing the signatories of one-sided criticism and ignoring the need to disarm Hamas.
This is not the first time Israel has faced scrutiny regarding aid access to Gaza. In October, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion stating Israel must support UN relief efforts in Gaza. In October 2023, over 100 aid groups accused Israel of obstructing aid to Gaza, calling it the “weaponisation of aid.” Since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza over 71,000 Palestinians have been killed, with hundreds dying from severe malnutrition.
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