The EU warns Israel’s suspension of aid groups will block life-saving assistance to Gaza, citing violations of international humanitarian law.
BRUSSELS: The EU has warned that Israel’s threat to suspend several aid groups in Gaza from January would block “life-saving” assistance from reaching the population.
EU humanitarian chief Hadja Lahbib stated the NGO registration law “cannot be implemented in its current form”.
She emphasised that international humanitarian law “leaves no room for doubt: aid must reach those in need”.
Israeli authorities announced that organisations which refused to submit lists of Palestinian employees to rule out terror links had received notice.
Their licences will be revoked from January 1, with an obligation to cease all activities by March 1.
Israel has not disclosed the number of groups facing a ban but specifically called out Doctors Without Borders (MSF).
It accused the medical charity of employing two individuals with links to Palestinian armed groups.
The Israeli government said 14 NGO requests had been rejected as of November 25.
NGOs had until December 31 to register under the new framework, which Israel says aims to prevent “hostile actors” operating rather than impede aid.
Several NGOs said the new rules will have a major impact on aid distribution in Gaza.
Humanitarian organisations say the amount of aid entering Gaza remains inadequate.
While an October ceasefire accord stipulated the entry of 600 aid trucks per day, only 100 to 300 are arriving.
COGAT, the Israeli defence ministry body, said last week that on average 4,200 aid trucks enter Gaza weekly, corresponding to around 600 daily.
