New Israeli Registration Rules Threaten Gaza's Humanitarian Aid Efforts

Tue Dec 23 2025 07:29:37 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

International NGOs express deep concern over new Israeli regulations that could halt aid operations in Gaza, putting vulnerable populations at risk.

International NGOs fear that new registration regulations imposed by Israel could lead to the collapse of humanitarian operations in Gaza. With a deadline looming for registration, many organizations face closure, jeopardizing essential medical services and support for thousands in need. The UN warns that this could result in a humanitarian disaster, underlining the critical role of INGOs in providing aid amidst ongoing conflict.

The UN and other aid agencies fear new Israeli registration rules for dozens of international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) risk the collapse of the humanitarian response in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.

INGOs not registered by 31 December face closure of their operations in Israel within 60 days, which the agencies say could severely disrupt healthcare and other life-saving services in Gaza.

Save the Children said its application had not been approved and it was 'pursuing all available avenues to have this decision reconsidered'.

Israel's ministry of diaspora affairs and combating antisemitism said the departure of 'rogue organisations' would not affect the delivery of aid.

Fourteen out of the approximately 100 applications have so far been rejected, 21 have been approved, and those remaining are still undergoing review, according to the ministry.

The registration system introduced in March includes several grounds for rejection, including denying the existence of Israel as a Jewish state and supporting armed struggle against Israel.

The Humanitarian Country Team of the Occupied Palestinian Territory warned that the system 'fundamentally jeopardises' the operations of INGOs in Gaza.

Currently, INGOs run or support most of Gaza's field hospitals and primary healthcare centres. If forced to stop operations, the impacts could be catastrophic, leading to the closure of one in three health facilities in Gaza.

'The UN will not be able to compensate for the collapse of INGOs' operations if they are de-registered,' emphasized the team. Israel, under international humanitarian law, has an obligation to ensure that Gaza's population is adequately supplied.

Save the Children confirmed it is actively pursuing avenues for reconsideration of its application, while Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is still awaiting registration. MSF stated that losing access to respond would be a disaster for Palestinians.

An Israeli official noted that there had been 'more than sufficient time' for NGOs to register, emphasizing the process included relevant security and government bodies, and labeled claims of systematic rejections as false.