NewYork(The COW News Digital)The United Nations has called on Israel to lift its suspension of humanitarian organizations operating in Gaza, emphasizing the critical role of these agencies in providing life-saving aid to Palestinians.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed concern that the Israeli decision to block access for international NGOs could worsen the already dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In a statement, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Guterres demanded that Israel reverse the ban, highlighting that these organizations are essential for life-saving operations and that suspending their work risks undermining even minor progress achieved during the fragile ceasefire.
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The Israeli government recently suspended operations of 37 foreign aid organizations after they refused to share the names of their Palestinian employees with Israeli authorities. Among the affected organizations is Doctors Without Borders (MSF), whose 1,200-member staff largely works in Gaza providing critical medical services. The organizations were ordered to halt operations by March 1, 2026.
NGOs have strongly opposed Israel’s demands, arguing that they violate international humanitarian law and threaten their operational independence. Israel, however, maintains that the regulations are intended to prevent organizations it alleges are linked to terrorist activity from operating in Palestinian territories.
Eighteen left-leaning Israeli organizations also condemned the decision, stating that the new registration framework infringes upon the fundamental principles of neutrality and freedom essential to humanitarian work.
The ban comes amid ongoing challenges in Gaza following the October 2023 conflict triggered by Hamas attacks. The subsequent Israeli military response led to heavy casualties, with over 70,000 people killed since the outbreak of hostilities. According to UN data, nearly 80 percent of buildings in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged, leaving the area’s infrastructure in ruins. Approximately 1.5 million of Gaza’s 2 million residents have been displaced from their homes.
UN officials warn that the suspension of aid organizations threatens to exacerbate these humanitarian challenges, particularly as winter conditions intensify and access to food, medical care, and shelter remains limited. Guterres reiterated that international NGOs are indispensable for alleviating human suffering and that their uninterrupted operation is vital to protecting civilians.
As tensions remain high, the UN continues to urge Israel to reconsider its policies and allow humanitarian organizations to resume their critical work, ensuring that essential aid reaches those most in need.
