In brief
The Israeli government has decided to prohibit Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) from conducting its humanitarian operations in Gaza due to the charity's refusal to submit a comprehensive list of its personnel, citing safety concerns. This decision, part of a broader crackdown on international NGOs in the territory, has sparked outrage and fears over healthcare provision amidst ongoing conflict.
Israel has imposed a ban on Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) from operating in Gaza following the organization’s refusal to submit a list of its members. The Israeli government mandated 37 organizations to disclose details regarding their staff in the region, asserting connections between some MSF workers and militant groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad. MSF has strongly refuted these claims.
In response to the ultimatum, MSF declared that it could not provide this information without guarantees for the safety of its personnel. Following this, Israeli authorities announced their plans to terminate MSF activities in Gaza. The Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs justified this action by highlighting MSF’s non-compliance with the requirement to furnish staff lists, a stipulation extended to all humanitarian entities.
On December 30, 2025, Israel revealed plans to rescind the operational licenses of 37 NGOs in Gaza and the occupied West Bank for failing to adhere to new registration protocols designed to prevent terrorist infiltration into humanitarian organizations.
The move has been condemned by ten nations, including the UK, France, and Canada, who warned that such restrictions would significantly hinder access to essential medical services. MSF, which currently operates 20 health centers and provides a substantial portion of hospital beds in Gaza, reiterated its willingness to share staff information under secure conditions that prioritize their safety.
Despite their attempts to collaborate with Israeli authorities, MSF indicated that it could not finalize the necessary assurances regarding staff security, particularly in light of the high number of healthcare professionals killed in the ongoing conflict, which has heightened risks for humanitarian workers.
UNRWA’s Gaza affairs director has expressed concerns regarding the severe impacts that this ban could have on the overall healthcare landscape within the region, as MSF has played a crucial role in providing medical care amidst a dire humanitarian crisis.
