Israel Revokes Licenses of 37 Humanitarian Aid Groups Amid New Regulations

Wed Dec 31 2025 03:19:40 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a significant move, Israel has announced the revocation of licenses for 37 international aid organizations operating in Gaza, citing new registration requirements. The decision has raised concerns about the future of humanitarian efforts in the region.

Israel's new regulations have led to the licensing revocation of 37 aid organizations, including major NGOs like ActionAid and the International Rescue Committee. Critics, including foreign ministers from ten countries, warn this could severely affect access to essential services in Gaza, which is already facing a catastrophic humanitarian situation. Israel defends the move, claiming it aims to prevent terrorism infiltration within humanitarian efforts, although previous UN reports indicate dire need remains.

Israel is set to revoke the licenses of 37 aid organizations working in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, claiming they failed to comply with new registration rules. Prominent international NGOs, including ActionAid, the International Rescue Committee, and the Norwegian Refugee Council, will have their licenses suspended on January 1, with operations ending within 60 days.

According to Israeli officials, these organizations did not provide the complete personal details of their staff as demanded by the new regulations. This decision has garnered severe backlash from foreign ministers of ten nations, including the UK, who describe the new requirements as restrictive and unacceptable.

In a joint statement, the ministers expressed concern that the forced closure of these international organizations will critically impact access to essential services like healthcare in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is already classified as catastrophic. They urged the Israeli government to allow INGOs to operate without restrictions.

Israel's Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, responsible for registration applications, assures that the new measures will not hinder the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza, as food and medical supplies continue to be channeled through approved and vetted organizations. They argue that the primary rationale behind revoking the licenses focuses on enhancing security by ensuring all personnel within humanitarian agencies are thoroughly vetted.

Previous UN reports indicated improvements in nutrition and food supplies in Gaza following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, but still, around 100,000 individuals remain in dire conditions.

Israeli military body Cogat has stated that the NGOs under suspension did not facilitate aid delivery into Gaza during the current ceasefire period and that historically their contributions represented only about 1% of total aid volume.

The Ministry of Diaspora Affairs stated that fewer than 15% of humanitarian organizations aiding Gaza were found in violation of the new regulations. Grounds for rejection include any denial of Israel's existence, support for armed conflict against Israel, or calls for boycotts.

The Humanitarian Country Team of the Occupied Palestinian Territory warned that this new registration system deeply jeopardizes aid operations, noting that while a few organizations have registered under this system, they represent only a fraction of the necessary response to meet Gaza's basic needs.

In response, Israel's Minister of Diaspora Affairs, Amichai Chikli, emphasized the need for humanitarian assistance while insisting that humanitarian frameworks should not be exploited for terrorist activities. Other suspended organizations include CARE and Medical Aid for Palestinians.