Israel has announced it will suspend the operations of more than two dozen international humanitarian organisations working in the Gaza Strip, including the prominent medical charity Doctors Without Borders.
New Vetting Rules Lead to Permit Revocations
The decision, declared by Israel's Ministry of Diaspora Affairs on Tuesday 30 December 2025, will take effect from 1 January 2026. The ministry stated that around 25 organisations, representing roughly 15% of the non-governmental groups operating in Gaza, did not have their permits renewed.
This action follows the introduction of new regulations requiring organisations to share detailed information on their staff, funding sources, and operational activities. The Israeli government accused the affected groups of failing to meet these requirements.
Specific Allegations Against Doctors Without Borders
In a pointed accusation, the ministry singled out Doctors Without Borders – known internationally by its French acronym MSF – for particular criticism. Officials claimed the group, one of the largest healthcare providers in the territory, failed to clarify the roles of certain staff members. Israel alleges these individuals cooperated with Hamas and other militant factions.
This is not the first time such allegations have been levelled at MSF. In 2024, Israel similarly accused some of its staff of involvement in military activities. The group responded at the time by saying it was "deeply concerned" and took the claims seriously, while firmly stating it would never knowingly employ people engaged in military action.
At the time of the announcement, MSF had not issued an immediate public comment on the suspension.
Humanitarian Community Voices Deep Concern
The move has sparked significant alarm within the international aid community. Many organisations have criticised Israel's new vetting rules, describing them as arbitrary and warning they could endanger humanitarian staff on the ground.
The dispute occurs against a backdrop of ongoing tension regarding aid flows into Gaza. Israel maintains it is fulfilling the aid commitments agreed upon in the latest ceasefire, which took effect on 10 October following two years of conflict. However, major aid groups consistently dispute Israel's figures.
Humanitarian agencies argue that far more assistance is desperately required for Gaza's population of over 2 million people, who continue to live in a devastated landscape with crippling shortages of essential supplies.
