Overview
- Israel revoked licenses for 37 international NGOs effective January 1 and ordered them to halt operations in Gaza and the West Bank by March 1 unless they submit detailed staff, funding and operational information.
- Targets include prominent groups such as Médecins Sans Frontières, the Norwegian Refugee Council, Oxfam and World Vision, with Israel citing incomplete disclosure of Palestinian employees as a security risk.
- UN Secretary‑General António Guterres warned the suspensions would undermine humanitarian work and called for the measure to be reversed, echoing concerns from UNRWA and Inter‑Agency Standing Committee leaders.
- Foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and the UAE demanded sustained, predictable and unrestricted access for UN agencies and NGOs, pointing to severe access constraints and service gaps.
- Aid agencies warn the new rules violate humanitarian principles and endanger staff as nearly 1.9 million displaced people face flooding, cold exposure and disease risks, while Israel says licenses can be reinstated if groups comply before March 1.