Israel to ban aid groups from Gaza in 2026 over vetting rules
Israel on Tuesday said it will suspend over two dozen humanitarian organisations, including Medecins Sans Frontieres, for failing to meet its new rules to vet international organisations working in Gaza. The Ministry of Diaspora Affairs said the organisations that will be banned on January 1 did not meet new requirements for sharing staff, funding and…
Israel on Tuesday said it will suspend over two dozen humanitarian organisations, including Medecins Sans Frontieres, for failing to meet its new rules to vet international organisations working in Gaza.
The Ministry of Diaspora Affairs said the organisations that will be banned on January 1 did not meet new requirements for sharing staff, funding and operations information.
It accused Medecins Sans Frontieres, one of the largest health organisations operating in Gaza, of failing to clarify the roles of some staff that Israel accused of cooperation with Hamas and other militant groups.
International organisations have said Israel’s rules are arbitrary and could endanger staff. The ministry said around 25 organisations, or 15 per cent, of the NGOs working in Gaza did not have their permits renewed.
Medecins Sans Frontieres, also known by its French acronym MSF, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Israel previously accused its staff of involvement in military activities in Gaza in 2024.
