United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern Friday regarding Israel’s announcement suspending the operations of several international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the occupied Palestinian territories. He called for the reversal of this decision, warning of its potential impact on the humanitarian situation.
According to a statement by Guterres’ spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, the Israeli measure compounds existing restrictions that have already delayed the entry of essential food and medical supplies into Gaza. Dujarric emphasized that the recent action will exacerbate the humanitarian crisis faced by Palestinians.
He asserted that these international organizations are indispensable for vital humanitarian work, and the suspension threatens to undermine the fragile progress achieved during the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. A significant portion of Gaza’s population relies on aid and medical services provided by international NGOs.
Meanwhile, a coalition of 53 international NGOs issued a joint warning yesterday about the dire humanitarian consequences stemming from Israel’s actions to revoke the licenses of numerous humanitarian organizations operating in the Palestinian territories.
These organizations, including Amnesty International, Doctors Without Borders, and Oxfam, believe that the Israeli measures will severely hinder humanitarian work and threaten to halt relief operations at a time when civilians face acute humanitarian needs, despite the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
In a joint statement, they revealed that on December 30th, 37 international organizations received official notification that their registration would expire on December 31st. This triggers a 60-day grace period, after which they will be required to cease operations in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
The warnings from international organizations follow the Israeli government’s initiation of procedures to revoke the operating licenses of several NGOs in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, alleging that they have not met legal registration requirements.
Earlier this week, the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the Israeli government has begun legal steps to revoke licenses of international organizations operating in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
