Israel Blocks over 100 Aid Groups from Delivering Supplies to Gaza

More than 100 international non-governmental organizations have accused Israel of increasingly using new regulations to deny them permission to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.

In a joint letter released on Thursday, the aid groups – including Oxfam and Médecins Sans Frontières – said Israeli authorities rejected at least 60 requests to bring life-saving supplies into the besieged enclave in July alone.

Relations between foreign aid organizations and the Israeli government have long been tense, with officials frequently accusing NGOs of bias. Tensions escalated further following the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023.

In March, Israel approved a new set of rules for foreign NGOs working with Palestinians, updating registration requirements and outlining conditions under which applications can be rejected or revoked.

Under the law, registration may be refused if authorities deem a group to deny Israel’s democratic character or to promote campaigns aimed at delegitimizing the state.

Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli, whose ministry led the drafting of the new guidelines, said many aid groups operate as a cover for hostile or violent activities. He added that organizations with no links to such activities or to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement would be granted permission to operate.

Aid organizations argue the restrictions leave Gaza’s civilian population without essential food, medicine, and protection. Jolien Veldwijk, director of CARE in Gaza, said her organization has been unable to deliver any aid to the territory since Israel imposed a total blockade in March, despite a partial easing in May.

Since May, the Israeli government has relied on the US-backed Gaza Relief Foundation to manage food distribution centers. However, Gaza’s Civil Defense has reported chaotic conditions, with thousands of residents crowding the centers daily and some incidents of people being shot, including by Israeli soldiers.