Beirut: Israel on Sunday initiated the process of revoking the operating licenses of 37 international organizations that deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. This action comes as these organizations reportedly failed to comply with new registration rules, as stated by the Israeli broadcasting authority KAN.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Israeli government began sending official notices on Tuesday to these organizations, indicating that their licenses will be canceled starting from January 2026. The organizations have been instructed to conclude their activities by March of the same year. KAN reported, "Following the entry into force of the registration mechanism for international organizations in Gaza, the process of barring 37 international organizations from operating has begun."
Israel asserts that these organizations contributed less than 1% of the total humanitarian aid during the conflict, suggesting that the overall aid distribution will remain unaffected by the decision. Additionally, the broadcaster highlighted security investigations that allegedly uncovered the involvement of employees from Doctors Without Borders in activities labeled as terrorist, with claims that the organization failed to fully disclose information about its staff.
However, the Israeli daily Haaretz argues that the decision announced in November to revoke the licenses of these international relief organizations is driven by political motives. Israel has previously enacted similar measures against the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA). In 2024, the Knesset passed a law banning UNRWA's activities within Israel, citing accusations of employee involvement in the events of October 7, 2023-allegations that UNRWA has denied. The UN maintains that UNRWA operates under stringent neutrality standards.
Further actions by Israeli authorities against UNRWA included legislation to cut water and electricity supplies to its facilities.