Israeli Government Imposes Strict Regulations on NGOs Operating in Gaza Strip

The Israeli government has issued a directive that will prevent dozens of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from providing humanitarian assistance in the Gaza Strip starting January 1, 2026. This action, attributed to new regulatory requirements deemed necessary for operating in Gaza, West Bank, and East Jerusalem, has sparked significant concern among international leaders and humanitarian advocates. The Israeli government has claimed that these NGOs have not fulfilled certain obligations to ensure that their personnel are not connected to Palestinian terrorist groups. High-profile humanitarian organizations affected by this regulatory shift include ActionAid, the International Rescue Committee, and the Norwegian Refugee Council. These organizations will have their licenses revoked, and they will be required to cease operations within two months, by March 2026 at the latest. The regulations, introduced about a year ago, have already faced criticism. The Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and the fight against antisemitism is leading the enforcement of these measures, which target organizations that Israel accuses of having ties to Hamas, the governing authority in Gaza since 2007. A notable case illustrating the tension is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which provides humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees and has faced allegations regarding its operational connections to Hamas. In a joint statement, foreign ministers from several nations, including the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and Japan, have expressed grave concerns about how these actions will severely affect the availability of essential services for Gaza's population, particularly concerning medical care and food security. Currently, over 1.5 million of Gaza's 2 million residents are experiencing severe food insecurity, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a coalition of various organizations and UN agencies. Despite accusations being levied against these NGOs, the Israeli government insists that aid can proceed through sanctioned channels. It claims humanitarian efforts will continue via approved organizations, including UN agencies and others that comply fully with Israeli regulations. One such organization is the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a controversial entity created by Israel to distribute food in the territory. The latest regulations are viewed as stringent and include clauses that prohibit criticism of Israeli actions in Palestinian territories. NGOs that engage in activities deemed as delegitimizing towards Israel, such as promoting boycotts or supporting legal actions against Israeli military forces in international contexts, face potential bans. As the situation unfolds, the impact on Gaza’s humanitarian landscape will be closely monitored by international stakeholders, as the implications of these regulations could further complicate the already dire humanitarian crisis in the region. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2