Daijiworld Media Network - Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Jan 4: Israel has begun revoking the operating licences of 37 international organisations providing humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip, citing non-compliance with newly introduced registration rules, according to Israeli state broadcaster KAN.
The move follows official notices issued by the Israeli government earlier this week to dozens of international aid organisations, informing them that their licences would be cancelled from January 2026 and directing them to cease all activities by March the same year.
KAN reported that the process of barring the organisations commenced after the new registration mechanism for international groups operating in Gaza came into force. Israeli authorities have claimed that these organisations together accounted for less than one per cent of the total humanitarian aid delivered during the war, and insisted that the decision would not impact the overall flow of assistance.
The broadcaster further alleged that security investigations had uncovered the involvement of employees from Doctors Without Borders in what it termed “terrorist activities”, claiming that the organisation failed to fully disclose details regarding the identities and roles of certain staff members.
However, Israeli daily Haaretz reported that the decision to revoke licences, first taken in November, was driven largely by political considerations rather than operational concerns.
Israel has previously taken similar action against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). In 2024, the Israeli parliament passed legislation banning UNRWA’s activities within Israel, citing allegations that some of its employees were involved in the October 7, 2023, attacks — claims that the agency has strongly denied. The United Nations has maintained that UNRWA adheres to strict neutrality standards.
Israeli authorities later escalated measures against the UN agency by approving a law to cut water and electricity supplies to UNRWA facilities, further intensifying tensions over humanitarian operations in the region.