Israel is set to withdraw licences from 37 international NGOs delivering medical, food, and shelter support in Gaza, starting this Thursday. The policy has sparked strong reactions from displaced Palestinian families who say the territory has no backup system to replace aid groups that currently fill critical gaps.
On Wednesday in Khan Younis, Siraj al-Masri said civilians are already living with no income or financial security. He described NGOs as the only dependable route to reach shrinking medical posts that continue to serve thousands of injured people.
Gaza resident Ramzi Abu al-Neel said the situation is already tragic even while aid groups are present, adding that removing them could deepen risks for children, the injured, and families enduring winter in tents.
Israel says the licence cancellation follows new disclosure rules requiring NGOs to share staffing and work details. The affected list includes long-running organisations such as MSF, the Norwegian Refugee Council, CARE International, and the International Rescue Committee. Israel has also issued accusations of militant links against some UN agencies working in Gaza, but these claims have not been publicly verified by independent parties.
Diplomatic Pressure Rises Over Aid Access
This week, foreign ministers from 10 countries—including Canada, France, Japan, and the UK—released a joint appeal urging Israel to guarantee ongoing humanitarian operations in Gaza. The statement said limiting NGO work at this scale would make it nearly impossible to address urgent civilian needs.
UNRWA also criticised the ban, with Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini calling the decision part of a broader trend of rising barriers to humanitarian work in Gaza. Israel previously advanced legislation in 2025 to restrict UNRWA’s role, further narrowing relief channels.
Although a ceasefire is formally active, Gaza’s border remains tightly controlled, including limits on temporary housing materials and basic goods. With most infrastructure damaged and economic activity stalled, more than one million civilians are living through winter in improvised shelters and relying almost entirely on external aid for survival.
Analysts have also raised concerns that the policy may conflict with principles referenced in international diplomatic peace proposals that emphasise uninterrupted, neutral humanitarian access.