

In a significant legal development with far-reaching humanitarian implications, Israel’s High Court has temporarily suspended a government decision that threatened to halt the operations of dozens of international aid organizations in the occupied Palestinian territories unless they complied with newly imposed regulatory conditions.

The injunction was issued just days before a deadline that would have required 37 prominent humanitarian organizations to cease operations. Aid groups warned that such a move would sever a critical lifeline for vulnerable civilians and inflict “irreparable harm,” particularly in the Gaza Strip, where humanitarian needs remain overwhelming.

Gaza: A Fragile Ceasefire and Deep Dependence on Aid

Four months into what observers describe as a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, the majority of the territory’s more than two million residents rely heavily on humanitarian assistance for basic necessities such as food, clean water, and medical care. International organizations continue to operate field hospitals, distribute food supplies, and provide emergency relief services under extremely challenging conditions.

In the West Bank, humanitarian agencies have also been assisting Palestinian families displaced amid rapid settlement expansion and escalating settler violence, according to various human rights reports.

Expired Registrations and New Compliance Demands

In December, Israeli authorities informed several major international organizations — including Médecins Sans Frontières, Oxfam, Save the Children, ActionAid, and Norwegian Refugee Council — that their registrations had expired. They were granted 60 days to renew their licenses under new regulatory requirements or cease operations by 1 March.

Seventeen NGOs jointly petitioned Israel’s High Court, arguing that as an occupying power, Israel is obligated under international humanitarian law to ensure access to essential relief for civilian populations.

In her response, Justice Dafna Barak-Erez stated that the matter involves “a genuine legal dispute” requiring further examination, leading to the temporary suspension of the measures.

Security Concerns and Political Context

The right-wing government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has adopted a firm stance toward certain international and Palestinian NGOs, as well as some UN agencies that have operated in the region for decades. The government cites security concerns as the primary motivation behind the new regulatory framework.

Israel has also passed legislation restricting the activities of UNRWA, the UN agency responsible for Palestinian refugees, affecting its operations in both Gaza and the West Bank.

Israeli authorities have alleged that some organizations — including Médecins Sans Frontières — have been infiltrated by members of Palestinian armed groups or maintain indirect ties with them. The organizations have strongly denied these accusations.

Controversial Transparency Requirements

According to Israel’s Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, the new regulations require NGOs to provide comprehensive details regarding staff members, funding sources, and operational structures. The stated objective is to prevent any links to Palestinian armed groups following the Hamas-led attacks of 7 October 2023, which triggered the Gaza war.

The framework allows Israeli authorities to revoke licenses in cases involving actions such as “delegitimization of the State of Israel,” legal campaigns targeting Israel Defense Forces personnel, Holocaust denial, denial of the 7 October attacks, or documented cooperation with designated terrorist organizations.

Aid groups argue that providing detailed staff lists to a party involved in the conflict would violate core humanitarian principles and potentially endanger employees. They also point out that hundreds of humanitarian workers have been killed during the Gaza war. European-based organizations have further noted that such requirements may conflict with EU data protection and privacy laws.

Allegations, Denials, and International Scrutiny

Humanitarian leaders contend that the new licensing system is politically motivated rather than purely security-driven. The Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council has emphasized that his organization rigorously screens all employees against international sanctions lists and complies with donor government regulations.

With foreign journalists largely barred from entering Gaza — except on limited tours embedded with the Israeli military — visiting doctors and aid workers have become key international witnesses to the humanitarian situation. Some have criticized Israel’s wartime conduct and restrictions on aid entry, which at one point led the United Nations to warn of famine conditions.

In early 2025, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation was established with U.S. and Israeli backing to distribute food, positioned as an alternative to UN-led mechanisms amid claims that Hamas was diverting assistance. However, after deadly shootings at distribution sites and mounting criticism, the foundation later announced the end of its mission.

Official Figures and Government Position

The Ministry for Diaspora Affairs reports that 117 NGOs have contacted the ministry since the guidelines came into effect. Of these, 27 were approved, 11 were rejected, and the remainder are under review or instructed to conclude operations if they fail to comply. Officials state that the rejected organizations represent approximately 1% of the total humanitarian aid entering Gaza.

The Israeli government maintains that aid continues to flow through “legitimate and transparent channels” that comply with international humanitarian law and do not cooperate with armed groups.

Humanitarian Consequences and Uncertain Future

Save the Children has stated that losing its license has hindered its ability to deploy international staff to support local teams. The organization argues that increased administrative and political obstacles slow the delivery of effective humanitarian assistance and prolong civilian suffering.

Meanwhile, Médecins Sans Frontières has firmly rejected allegations of misconduct, asserting that it would never knowingly employ individuals affiliated with armed groups. The organization reports that at least 15 of its staff members were killed during the war and emphasizes that sharing staff identities with a conflict party would undermine neutrality and jeopardize operations globally.

Although NGOs have welcomed the High Court’s temporary injunction, uncertainty remains regarding the final ruling and its long-term impact on humanitarian access. The eventual decision will likely shape the future of relief operations in Gaza and the West Bank — and determine whether millions of civilians can continue to depend on international aid for survival.

Humanitarian Aid at a Crossroads: The Legal Battle Shaping Relief Efforts in Gaza and the West Bank