Israel Revokes Licenses of 37 Aid Groups Amid International Concern

Wed Dec 31 2025 18:16:16 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Israel's decision to revoke the licenses of 37 international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) operating in Gaza raises alarms from the UK and EU, highlighting potential severe impacts on humanitarian aid delivery.

The Israeli government plans to cancel the licenses of 37 INGOs, including prominent organizations like Médecins Sans Frontières and ActionAid, claiming they failed to meet new registration requirements. This move has faced condemnation from several countries and humanitarian groups, with warnings that it will severely hinder essential aid operations in Gaza, particularly under the current devastating humanitarian conditions. The European Union and various nations have expressed deep concern over the implications for vulnerable populations in the region.

Israel is set to revoke the licences of 37 international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) working in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, alleging they did not comply with new registration rules. Prominent agencies like ActionAid, International Rescue Committee, Médecins Sans Frontières, and the Norwegian Refugee Council are among those affected, with operations to cease by January 1, 2026, following a 60-day grace period.

The Israeli government cites incomplete personal details of staff among the reasons for the revocation, claiming that this could pose security risks. However, the affected INGOs argue that these conditions endanger their staff and compromise their operations.

In response to the announcement, foreign ministers from ten countries—including the UK, France, and Canada—condemned the decision, stating that such actions could severely limit access to essential services and humanitarian aid in Gaza.

The EU's humanitarian chief emphasized the potential consequences, stating that blocking INGOs equates to blocking life-saving aid, contrary to international humanitarian law obligations.

The decision has been met with calls from humanitarian groups to reconsider, emphasizing that INGOs are crucial for providing vital services such as healthcare, nutrition stabilization, and emergency shelters in Gaza.

The Israeli ministry overseeing registrations insists that aid will still be delivered through approved channels, such as UN organizations. Nonetheless, officials from the INGOs have expressed fears that their operational capacity will be severely impaired, thus directly impacting vulnerable communities in the region.

Additionally, the Israeli government alleges that some of the INGOs' members have ties to terrorist organizations, though these claims have been disputed by the organizations concerned.

As the war in Gaza follows the Hamas-led attack on Israel, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, with reports indicating significant casualties and critical needs among the population. The international community watches closely, urging that humanitarian assistance must reach those in dire need without hindrance.