The European Union warned Israel on Wednesday that the suspension of NGOs providing humanitarian assistance to the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, under new registration rules, would prevent the delivery of vital aid.
Brussels – “The EU has been clear,” wrote European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib on her X account. “All obstacles to access for humanitarian aid must be lifted,” she added.
Israel announced on Tuesday that NGOs working in Gaza that have not submitted the list of their Palestinian employees by Wednesday will no longer be able to operate there in 2026, accusing two members of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) of “links with terrorist organizations.”
According to a statement from the Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and the Fight against Antisemitism, organizations that have “refused to submit the list of their Palestinian employees, in order to rule out any link with terrorism (…), will have their licenses revoked as of January 1.”
The organizations concerned “will have to cease all activity by March 1, 2026.”
Contacted by AFP, MSF stated that the organization “would never knowingly employ people engaged in military activities” and said it would “continue the dialogue with the Israeli authorities.” (December 31, 2025)
