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The European Union (EU) warned on Tuesday that humanitarian relief operations in the Gaza Strip could be affected. This warning comes after Israel imposed a ban on 37 international relief organizations.
The EU said that these organizations should be allowed to operate without any hindrance so that relief supplies can reach those in need on time and safely. The statement also expressed concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. People there are facing heavy rain and cold this winter, but they do not have adequate shelter. Children are finding it difficult to go to school, and hospitals are on the brink of shutting down due to a severe shortage of medicines and staff.
In addition, Israel has revoked the licenses of several international NGOs. The government says that some organizations did not provide complete information about their Palestinian staff. Moreover, Israel has accused, without presenting any evidence, that some employees of the Doctors Without Borders organization were involved in ‘terrorist activities’.
According to a report by +972 Magazine, this move is an attempt to increase control over NGOs. Organizations fear that sharing information about their staff could make their employees targets of surveillance, pressure, or retaliation.