Israel is facing growing international criticism over its decision to close down dozens of international groups providing aid to Palestinians in Gaza on the basis that they failed to meet requirements under new registration rules.
The foreign ministers of 10 countries condemned the move and expressed “deep concern” over the “catastrophic” humanitarian situation.
“As winter draws in, civilians in Gaza are facing appalling conditions, with heavy rainfall and temperatures dropping,” the ministers of the UK, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland said in a joint statement released by the UK’s Foreign Office on Tuesday.
The European Union’s humanitarian chief, Hadja Lahbib, said: “Israel’s plans to block NGOs in Gaza means blocking life-saving aid.”
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International humanitarian law “leaves no room for doubt: aid must reach those in need,” she added.
Israel took the decision to revoke the licences of 37 aid groups working in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, claiming they failed to meet requirements under new registration rules. NGOs that did not renew their registration will no longer be allowed to operate in the Gaza Strip starting on January 1st.
“Organisations were notified in March 2025, given nearly 10 months to comply, and granted a good-faith extension allowing continued interim operations,” a statement from the Israeli foreign ministry said.
Israel’s decision came after what it claims were violations of security and transparency standards and alleged links between affiliates of certain organisations and militant groups in Gaza.
Israel’s diaspora and combating-Semitism ministry, which is in charge of registration applications, said the primary reason aid groups were having their licences revoked was “the refusal to provide complete and verifiable information regarding their employees,” which it said was critical to preventing the infiltration of “terrorist operatives” into humanitarian structures.
Israel has frequently accused Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza of diverting aid.
“Security reviews revealed that employees of certain organisations were involved in terrorist activity,” specifically accusing affiliates of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) of ties to Hamas and the Islamic Jihad.
“Despite repeated requests, the organisation failed to provide full disclosure regarding the identities and roles of these individuals,” it added.
Philippe Ribero, Doctors Without Borders head of mission for Gaza and the West Bank, said the diaspora ministry announcement was the first they had heard of the alleged links of their affiliates to Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and that they have not been provided with proof.
Caritas Internationalis, the umbrella Catholic humanitarian group that brings together more than 160 associations worldwide, is also one of the NGOs on the list of organisations set to be banned, but the group issued a defiant statement on Wednesday, vowing to continue their work.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which represents the Catholic Church, said Caritas Jerusalem’s status and mission was enshrined in agreements between the Holy See and Israel.
A statement acknowledged that the group had not undertaken any re-registration process with the Israeli authorities.
“Caritas Jerusalem will continue its humanitarian and development operations in Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem, in accordance with its mandate,” the statement read.
Other NGOs impacted by the Israeli crackdown include Action Against Hunger, Care, Mercy Corps, the Norwegian Refugee Council, Oxfam, the International Rescue Committee, World Vision International, Relief International, the American Friends Service Committee, Defence for Children International, Medical Aid for Palestinians UK and the Near East Council of Churches.
Israel denied the new measures would impede the flow of humanitarian assistance to Gaza, saying aid supplies will continue to be delivered through “approved and vetted channels”, including UN agencies, bilateral partners, and humanitarian organisations.
Cogat, the Israeli body that oversees humanitarian aid to Gaza, said the suspended organisations contribute less than 1 per cent of total aid entering Gaza and that assistance will continue through NGOs with permits to operate.
