Over 100 NGOs Challenge New Israeli Regulations on Gaza Aid

Jerusalem, Aug 14 (AP) — Over 100 nonprofit organizations have raised alarms about new Israeli regulations for aid groups in the Gaza Strip and occupied West Bank. These groups assert that the rules will obstruct crucial relief work and promote organizations aligned with Israel’s political and military interests, a claim Israel refutes.

Organizations such as Oxfam, Doctors Without Borders, and CARE have signed a letter accusing Israel of “weaponizing aid” to further entrench control as starvation looms in conflict-ridden Gaza.

The controversy stems from registration rules introduced by Israel in March. These require aid organizations to disclose complete lists of donors and Palestinian staff, subjecting them to vetting.

The nonprofit groups argue this could jeopardize their staff’s safety and empower Israel to deny aid if organizations are seen as “delegitimizing” Israel or backing boycotts and divestment campaigns.

The letter criticizes the measures as attempts to dominate independent organizations, mute advocacy efforts, and stifle humanitarian reporting.

The groups also claim that the rules contravene European data privacy standards, sometimes obligating aid groups to comply within just seven days.

However, COGAT, the Israeli military body governing humanitarian aid to Gaza, dismissed these claims. It alleged that some organizations serve as fronts for Hamas to misuse aid for enhancing military capacities and tightening its grip in Gaza.

COGAT stated, “The refusal of some international organizations to provide the information and cooperate with the registration process raises serious concerns about their true intentions.” It noted delays in aid occur only when organizations fail to meet security requirements designed to prevent Hamas interference.

Israel has historically accused aid organizations and UN agencies of producing biased reports.

According to the aid groups, since Israel’s blockade began in March, most have been unable to deliver critical assistance, with only a handful of UN agencies and aid groups managing to do so at sharply reduced levels.

Tensions have escalated over the endorsement by Israel and the United States of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, designated as the primary aid distributor in the besieged territory.

This American contractor, replacing the traditional UN-led aid distribution in Gaza, faces international backlash following the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians attempting to obtain food at its sites.

Israel’s demand that UN agencies accept military escorts to deliver goods to Gaza has been largely rebuffed, with agencies citing their neutrality commitments.

The impasse features dueling narratives: Israel insists it permits aid that complies with its regulations, while long-standing aid groups in Gaza lament the backlog of urgent supplies at border crossings.

“Oxfam has over $2.5 million worth of goods that have been blocked from entering Gaza by Israel, including essential WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) items and food,” stated Oxfam aid official Bushra Khalidi.

She warned that aid groups may face a choice between their ability to operate and their independence and voice. (AP) SCY SCY

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