Israeli Supreme Court Temporarily Allows NGOs to Operate in Gaza Amid Blockade Challenges

In a significant ruling, the Israeli Supreme Court has temporarily permitted non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in the Gaza Strip to continue their operations, despite an order from the Israeli government for them to cease activities. This ruling was made while the Court reviews an appeal filed by several organizations against the blockade imposed by Israel. As of January 1st, Israel had barred 37 humanitarian organizations from functioning in Gaza, mandating their departure by March 1st due to non-compliance with a requirement to submit detailed employee lists. The Israeli government justified this measure, citing the need to ensure that these organizations do not have ties to groups it classifies as terrorist organizations, primarily Hamas. On Sunday, 17 of the affected NGOs presented their case to the Supreme Court, warning of the severe humanitarian impacts that would result from the disruption of their services. In its decision, the Supreme Court made it clear that it had not yet taken a definitive stance on the merits of the ongoing appeal nor established a timeline for a final ruling. This governmental action, particularly from the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and the fight against anti-Semitism, has raised concerns among established international NGOs including Doctors Without Borders, ActionAid, the International Rescue Committee, and the Norwegian Refugee Council. Israel has frequently accused humanitarian organizations of having links to Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007. Operating within Gaza often requires collaboration with the ruling group, further complicating the relationship between these NGOs and the Israeli government. In the past year, new regulations from Israel have mandated that NGOs providing humanitarian assistance to both Gaza and the West Bank submit extensive documentation, including personal information and identification details concerning both foreign and Palestinian employees. Many NGOs have refused to comply with these requests, particularly to protect the safety of their staff in the volatile region. The appeal by the NGOs argues that Israel's new requirements violate international law and asserts that the government does not possess the authority to suspend their operations. These restrictions have already posed substantial challenges for the NGOs and the communities they serve, complicating the delivery of essential humanitarian aid amidst a dire situation in Gaza. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2