Daijiworld Media Network - Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Jan 1: Israel on Thursday confirmed that newly introduced regulations restricting the operations of dozens of humanitarian organisations in Gaza and the West Bank have officially come into effect, drawing sharp criticism from the United Nations and international aid groups.
Minister for Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli said the affected organisations had been given a 10-month window to submit comprehensive details about their staff and operations, with the deadline expiring at midnight on Wednesday. Organisations that failed to comply with the requirements have now had their operating licences revoked, he said, without disclosing the exact number impacted.
An Israeli government official, speaking anonymously, said a review conducted by the Ministry for Diaspora Affairs found that 37 organisations did not meet the new regulatory conditions. According to Israeli authorities, the measures are intended to prevent organisations alleged to have links to or have supported militant activities from functioning in the Palestinian territories.
The move came just a day after senior representatives of 19 UN humanitarian agencies and major international aid organisations jointly urged Israel to suspend the regulations, warning that the decision could have serious humanitarian consequences. In a statement, the agencies cautioned that restricting aid groups, particularly in Gaza, could undo limited humanitarian progress achieved during the ceasefire.
The statement highlighted that winter conditions, persistent food insecurity, and the ongoing need for life-saving assistance have left Gaza’s population extremely vulnerable. It warned that curbing the presence of non-governmental organisations could further strain humanitarian operations at a critical time.
The appeal was endorsed by several top global officials, including the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, the heads of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, the International Organisation for Migration, the UN Development Programme, UNICEF, UN Women, the World Health Organisation, and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, among others.
According to the joint statement, international humanitarian organisations collectively provide close to one billion US dollars in aid annually to the Palestinian territories. Aid groups argue that any disruption to their work could severely affect food distribution, healthcare services, shelter, and protection for civilians.
Gaza has been devastated by more than two years of Israeli military operations, leaving large parts of the enclave in ruins. Gaza-based health authorities report widespread hunger and malnutrition, with at least 71,269 people killed and 171,232 injured during the conflict. Humanitarian agencies continue to warn that restrictions on aid access could further deepen the crisis facing civilians in the region.