Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
December 17, 2025 Humanitarian aid
Aid operations in Gaza could be on the brink of collapse unless Israel immediately lifts restrictions blocking the activities of international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), UN humanitarian agencies working in the occupied Palestinian territories (OPT) have warned.
In a statement released Tuesday, a humanitarian group representing UN agencies and more than 200 local and international organizations called on the international community to lift measures that hinder their work in the OPT, particularly in the Gaza Strip.
We are talking about registration system for international non-governmental organizations, introduced earlier this year.
Imperfect system
According to the statement, the registration process is politicized, poorly defined, and impossible to implement without violating humanitarian principles. Dozens of organizations risk losing their registration by the end of December and could then be forced to close within weeks.
The work of these institutions is vital for the people of Gaza, humanitarian agencies emphasize. International NGOs, working with the UN and local partners, provide approximately $1 billion in aid annually throughout the OPT.
Loss of important functions
Humanitarian organizations stressed that the impact of the closure of international NGOs cannot be mitigated by the UN or local groups, especially in the context of Israeli restrictions imposed on the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
According to the humanitarian group, international NGOs support much of Gaza's basic infrastructure. They operate field hospitals and medical centers, provide clean water and sanitation, provide emergency shelter, and treat children suffering from severe malnutrition.
Medical facilities will be closed
If international NGOs leave the Strip, almost every third medical facility in Gaza will close immediately, leaving tens of thousands of patients without care.
Humanitarian officials stated that they had repeatedly raised these concerns with Israeli authorities and sought viable solutions to maintain operations. However, the situation has not changed, and the NGO's closure now appears inevitable.
The agencies stressed that humanitarian access is an obligation under international law, not a political choice.
Humanitarian leaders called on Israel to facilitate the rapid and unimpeded delivery of aid and ensure independent and safe conditions for operations. Without swift action, they warned, the consequences for Gaza's civilians would be catastrophic. "Vital aid must be made available to Palestinians without further delay," the statement read.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.