Gaza Faces Humanitarian Crisis As Israel Moves To Deregister NGOs Providing Vital Aid

International aid agencies have raised alarms over a new Israeli policy that could force many organisations to cease operations in Gaza. The policy, effective from 9 March, demands detailed personal information about Palestinian employees from international NGOs. This requirement also extends to the occupied West Bank, posing significant challenges for humanitarian efforts.

The Humanitarian Country Team in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), which includes UN and partner aid organisations, has warned that without immediate intervention, most international NGO partners might be de-registered by 9 September. This would lead to the withdrawal of all international staff and halt critical humanitarian assistance to Palestinians.

NGOs play a crucial role in supporting Palestinian organisations by providing supplies, funding, and technical assistance. The cooperation between these entities is vital for delivering food, medical care, shelter, and protection services to vulnerable communities in Gaza. Without this collaboration, many communities risk losing access to essential services.

The new Israeli policy mandates that organisations submit comprehensive details about their representatives and employees in-country. This includes full identification and contact information for both Palestinian and foreign workers. For foreign workers, additional requirements include marital status and family details such as spouse and children’s passport numbers.

NGOs that have not complied with the new registration system are currently barred from sending supplies to Gaza. Last month, Israeli authorities denied requests from 29 organisations seeking to deliver humanitarian aid, citing them as "not authorised." This restriction has already hindered the delivery of essential items like medicine, food, and hygiene products.

The humanitarian collective highlighted that these restrictions disproportionately affect women, children, older people, and individuals with disabilities. The lack of aid exacerbates their vulnerability to abuse and exploitation amid worsening conditions in Gaza.

Call for Policy Reconsideration

The Humanitarian Country Team has urged Israel to reconsider its demand for sensitive employee information from NGOs. They argue that hindering their work violates international law at a time when reports indicate severe famine conditions in Gaza. The team emphasised the urgency of addressing these issues as daily reports of starvation-related deaths emerge.

Despite these challenges, many UN agencies continue their operations in Gaza. They work closely with NGO partners to reach the most vulnerable populations within the war-torn enclave. However, the ongoing restrictions pose significant obstacles to their efforts.

This situation underscores the critical need for dialogue between Israeli authorities and international NGOs. Finding a resolution is essential for ensuring continued humanitarian support for those who rely on it most in Gaza and the West Bank.

With inputs from WAM