The ministry said the registration requirement is intended to prevent the involvement of terrorist elements and to protect the integrity of humanitarian activity, citing past cases.
International non-governmental organizations that did not renew their registration will no longer be allowed to operate in the Gaza Strip starting January 1, 2026, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
According to the ministry, organizations were notified of the registration requirement in March 2025 and were given nearly 10 months to complete the process. A temporary extension allowed continued interim operations, but groups that did not comply were informed that their authorization would end on Thursday and that an orderly withdrawal was required by March 1, 2026.
“Organizations were notified in March 2025, given nearly ten months to comply, and granted a good-faith extension allowing continued interim operations,” the statement said.
The ministry said the registration requirement is intended to prevent the involvement of terrorist elements and to protect the integrity of humanitarian activity, citing past cases.
Registration remains open, the ministry said, and applications may still be submitted and will continue to be reviewed. Most registered NGOs are operating in the Gaza Strip and will continue their activities.
The ministry said the measure does not affect the overall scope of humanitarian assistance, estimating that approximately 99% of aid continues to be delivered. Humanitarian assistance to Gaza, it added, is being delivered through the United Nations, donor governments, the private sector, and more than 20 approved international organizations.
Aid organizations affected
The Associated Press reported that the suspension affects some of the world’s largest aid organizations, including Doctors Without Borders. International groups have criticized the rules as arbitrary and said they could endanger staff, while Israel has said terrorist groups have operated under the cover of some organizations, a claim the groups deny.
COGAT, the Israeli body that oversees humanitarian aid to Gaza, said the suspended organizations contribute less than 1% of total aid entering Gaza and that assistance will continue through organizations with permits to operate.
The organizations affected, as listed by the AP, include Action Against Hunger, ActionAid, Alianza por la Solidaridad, Campaign for the Children of Palestine, CARE, DanChurchAid, the Danish Refugee Council, Handicap International: Humanity & Inclusion, Japan International Volunteer Center, Médecins du Monde France, Médecins du Monde Switzerland, Médecins Sans Frontières Belgium, Médecins Sans Frontières France, Médecins Sans Frontières Nederland, Médicos del Mundo, Mercy Corps, MSF Spain, the Norwegian Refugee Council, Oxfam Novib, Première Urgence Internationale, Terre des hommes Lausanne, the International Rescue Committee, WeWorld-GVC, World Vision International, Relief International, Fondazione AVSI, the Movement for Peace-MPDL, the American Friends Service Committee, medico international, the Palestine Solidarity Association in Sweden, Defense for Children International, Medical Aid for Palestinians UK, Caritas Internationalis, Caritas Jerusalem, the Near East Council of Churches, Oxfam Quebec, and War Child Holland .
