NGOs in Palestine warn of crisis under new "Israeli" restrictions

Humanitarian organizations operating in the Palestinian territories are raising alarms over new "Israeli"-imposed restrictions that they fear will make their work "nearly impossible."

A senior official from an international NGO, speaking anonymously to AFP, described the situation in Gaza since the start of the aggression as a rapid decline: "We have been sliding down a steep slope, and now we've hit rock bottom. NGOs understand that this situation is unacceptable."

The official requested anonymity due to potential repercussions for their organizations' operations in the occupied West Bank and the blockaded Gaza Strip.

"The ability to provide aid while respecting humanitarian principles in Gaza, combined with access restrictions in the West Bank, makes it feel like we are witnessing the end of the world," she added. "It’s like trying to fight a nuclear bomb with a fire extinguisher."

Expanded "Israeli" control over aid distribution

According to NGOs, "Israel's" Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), a unit within the Ministry of Defense overseeing civilian affairs in Palestinian areas, introduced a plan in late February to restructure humanitarian aid distribution.

The new measures reportedly increase "Israeli" control over aid operations, including the establishment of military-linked logistical centers and additional screenings of both aid workers and recipients.

A worker from a medical NGO warned that the restrictions would make operations "logistically nearly impossible," questioning whether they would now have to disclose details about individual patients and their medications.

"Israel" claims the new policies aim to prevent looting and the seizure of aid by armed groups. However, NGOs argue that such incidents are minimal and that the real solution is increasing aid supplies—something "Israel" has blocked since March 2.

A European NGO official criticized "Israel’s" assumptions, stating, "The claim that Hamas is rebuilding its capabilities through humanitarian aid is simply not true. Aid doesn’t provide rockets or weapons." He added, ""Israel" just wants more control over this region."

COGAT has not specified when the new rules will take effect and has not responded to requests for comment. However, a government directive that took effect in March has already introduced a stricter registration process for NGOs providing services to Palestinians.

The directive requires broad data sharing about employees and grants "Israel" the right to reject staff members it deems as attempting to "delegitimize" it.

Since October 7 NGOs have reported that no work permits have been issued for their foreign staff.

Growing risks for aid workers

NGOs operating in Palestinian territories face increasing challenges daily. At least 387 aid workers have been killed in Gaza since October 7, according to a recent UN estimate, with some losing their lives while on duty.

In a statement to AFP, Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of UNRWA—the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, which "Israel" recently banned—said, "There is an ongoing debate among humanitarian organizations about how far we can go while remaining true to our principles of independence and non-discrimination. It’s a critical discussion."

Amjad Al-Shawa, head of the Palestinian NGO Network, stressed the need for a united stance against the new restrictions, which he sees as an attempt to shield "Israel" from accountability.

With over 30 years of experience in humanitarian aid, Al-Shawa described the situation as an "existential threat" to the sector, emphasizing, "Lives are at stake."

The head of an international NGO warned, "A red line has been crossed."

Others, however, are more cautious in their assessments. A medical aid worker noted, "If we push back, we will be accused of anti-Semitism," adding that "principled stances don’t hold up against overwhelming humanitarian needs."