Cyprus Times

Israel Confirms Ban on Access to Gaza for 37 NGOs

Published January 1, 2026, 14:03
Israel Confirms Ban on Access to Gaza for 37 NGOs

Israel has confirmed a ban on access to Gaza for 37 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that did not submit a list of their employees to the authorities, as required by the new regulation. This decision raises concerns about further delays in the provision of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian enclave, which is in a dire situation due to the war. Israel justifies the decision as a security measure, emphasizing the need to prevent the infiltration of terrorists into humanitarian structures. The organizations are accused of refusing to provide complete and verifiable information about their employees. The list of affected NGOs includes Doctors Without Borders (MSF), the Norwegian Refugee Council, Care, World Vision, and Oxfam. The decision has provoked strong reactions from the international community. The ban on access comes after Israel faced criticism for delaying the implementation of the new regulation, which was announced in March. The Israeli government states that humanitarian aid is welcome, but the exploitation of humanitarian structures for terrorist purposes will not be tolerated.