Concerns Rise as Israel’s New Registration Regulations Threaten Gaza Aid Operations

Tue Dec 23 2025 10:30:40 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

International NGOs express alarm over Israel's new registration requirements, which could jeopardize essential humanitarian aid in Gaza and the West Bank. With critical health services at stake, organizations race to comply.

The introduction of new registration rules by Israel has raised significant concerns among international NGOs regarding the sustainability of humanitarian aid operations in Gaza and the West Bank. Organizations like Save the Children face potential shutdowns if they fail to secure registration by the end of the year, potentially disrupting life-saving services amidst an ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The UN and various aid agencies have expressed deep concerns regarding new Israeli registration rules for international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), which they fear might lead to a collapse of humanitarian services in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Organizations that fail to get registered by December 31 risk having their operations in Israel shut down within two months. This could have devastating effects on healthcare and other critical services in Gaza, according to these organizations.

Save the Children has publicly stated that its application has not yet received approval, and the organization is actively seeking avenues to overturn this decision.

The Israeli ministry responsible for diaspora affairs and combating antisemitism has commented that the removal of 'rogue organizations' would not interfere with the provision of aid.

As of now, among approximately 100 applications that have been submitted, only 21 have been approved, with 14 already rejected. The remaining applications are still under review, as indicated by the ministry.

This system has been in place since March and includes various grounds for rejection, such as denying Israel's existence as a Jewish state or supporting acts against Israel. These criteria have been deemed vague and ideologically charged, raising significant alarms regarding the ability of humanitarian organizations to operate effectively.

The Humanitarian Country Team for the Occupied Palestinian Territory warns that the ramifications of these new regulations could be catastrophic, potentially leading to the closure of a third of Gaza's health facilities and crippling essential aid services just as winter approaches.

If INGOs are deregistered from operating, the UN has stated it will not be able to replace these critical humanitarian efforts adequately, stressing the responsibility of Israel to uphold humanitarian laws.

Save the Children, which has provided essential services such as clean water and cash assistance in Gaza, has confirmed its commitment to pressing the issue judicially in Israel.

Conversely, an Israeli official has accused organizations that failed to register of lacking good faith and reaffirmed that humanitarian aid deliveries would remain uninterrupted, dismissing claims of widespread operational disruptions as false.