Gaza City – A dire warning has been issued regarding the potential consequences of Israel’s decision to suspend the operations of over 20 international aid organizations in the Gaza Strip. Amjad Al-Shawa, head of the Palestinian NGO Network in Gaza, cautioned that this action could lead to a catastrophic collapse of essential services and the preventable deaths of thousands.
The suspended organizations, some of which have operated in the region for decades, manage approximately one-third of the field hospitals in Gaza and have served as a vital lifeline for war victims across various sectors. The Israeli authorities cited the organizations’ alleged failure to meet registration requirements as the reason for the suspensions, setting a deadline of January 1, 2026, for the revocation of licenses and March 1, 2026, for the complete cessation of activities and departure from the area.
Among the organizations affected is Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières – MSF), which has been accused by the Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs of failing to clarify the roles of certain employees allegedly involved with Hamas. Palestinian civil society organizations have condemned the move, describing it as having “catastrophic repercussions” that will paralyze essential health and relief services.
Al-Shawa emphasized that the suspension extends beyond healthcare, impacting crucial programs such as malnutrition centers for children, water and sanitation projects, and shelter services relied upon by thousands of displaced families already suffering from the ravages of war. He noted that these organizations represent the last link to basic assistance for many Gazans, providing even minimal daily sustenance.
“There is no alternative,” Al-Shawa stated, highlighting the irreplaceable role these organizations play in the humanitarian landscape of Gaza. He further explained that the international organizations have adopted a unified stance in rejecting the new Israeli conditions, the details of which have not been publicly disclosed. Observers view the Israeli action as an attempt to tighten the blockade on Gaza and expel international witnesses to the deteriorating humanitarian situation.
