Israel Revokes Permits of International Aid and Human Rights Groups in West Bank and Gaza
Israeli authorities have reportedly canceled the permits of several international aid and human rights organizations operating in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. This move has heightened concerns regarding the future of humanitarian assistance to Palestinians.
According to media reports, the decision was made on the pretext of alleged links between some of these organizations and “terrorism”—an accusation that human rights groups have repeatedly dismissed as baseless and criticized as a tool to restrict humanitarian activities.
It is said that more than 10 international organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, have been officially notified that their operational permits will be revoked starting from the beginning of January next year. This decision could disrupt access to healthcare and relief services for thousands of residents in vulnerable areas.
This action follows Israel’s ongoing restrictive policies against international bodies. Previously, the Israeli parliament passed a bill to cut water and electricity supplies to the offices of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
The majority of Israeli lawmakers voted in favor of this bill, a decision which imposes heavier pressures on Palestinians living in Gaza in the aftermath of a two-year conflict—a population that is more reliant on UNRWA services than ever.
Tel Aviv claims that UNRWA is linked to Hamas, an allegation that the UN agency has denied. Critics view these accusations as attempts to weaken humanitarian aid efforts and to increase pressure on Palestinian civilians.
