Doctors Without Borders: Israel's Threat to Withdraw NGO Registrations is a Serious Blow to Humanitarian Work

SadaNews - Doctors Without Borders (MSF) stated on Friday that Israel's threat to withdraw the registration of the organization and other international NGOs represents a calculated and deceptive attempt to prevent these organizations from providing their services in Gaza and the West Bank, in violation of Israel's obligations under international humanitarian law.

The organization said in a statement: It is unacceptable for civilians to be deprived of medical assistance under any circumstances, and it is disgraceful to use humanitarian aid as a tool in politics or a means of collective punishment.

It added: It is time to act, as Israel escalates its dangerous attack on humanitarian response, directly threatening the medical care and humanitarian assistance provided to civilians.

Doctors Without Borders expressed its firm rejection of the claims made by Israeli authorities in recent days, emphasizing that it would never knowingly employ anyone involved in military activities, as that contradicts our core values and ethical principles, as stated in the text of its statement.

It further added: If the descriptions conveyed by our teams about what they witness firsthand in Gaza are unacceptable to some, including death, destruction, and the humanitarian consequences resulting from genocidal violence, the responsibility lies with those committing these atrocities, not with those who speak about them.

The statement continued: Doctors Without Borders has legitimate concerns regarding the registration conditions that require sharing personal information about our Palestinian staff with Israeli authorities. These concerns are compounded by the killing of 15 of our colleagues by Israeli forces. In any context, particularly in a situation where medical and humanitarian workers are subjected to intimidation, arbitrary detention, attacks, and mass killings, the requirement to submit lists of staff names in exchange for permission to access the territory is a blatant violation that undermines the independence and neutrality of humanitarian work, and becomes even more dangerous in the absence of any clarification regarding how this sensitive data will be used, stored, or shared.

It pointed out that the relevant Israeli authorities ignored the organization's repeated requests for a meeting instead of listening to its concerns, noting that those authorities went to accuse it in the media of harboring what they describe as "terrorists" knowingly.

Doctors Without Borders stated: The Israeli forces have killed and injured hundreds of thousands of civilians, deliberately destroyed critical infrastructure, and targeted medical teams, humanitarian workers, and journalists. They have also controlled more than half of the Gaza Strip, forcing residents into shrinking spaces day by day, in inhumane conditions, and creating a shortage of basic life necessities by preventing and delaying the entry of essential goods, including medical supplies.

It clarified that it currently supports one in five hospital beds in Gaza and assists one in three mothers during childbirth.

It said: Although this support in no way meets the scale of Palestinian needs, its withdrawal will result in horrific costs.

It added: Israel's move to prevent Doctors Without Borders and dozens of other organizations from providing their services to Palestinians, after the Israeli forces have destroyed the healthcare system in Gaza, represents an additional escalation of the attacks against Palestinians that have been ongoing for two years.

It continued: The services currently available to people in Gaza are far below their actual needs, specifically due to the blockade and restrictions imposed by Israel. For the third consecutive winter, Gaza is experiencing a drop in temperatures, heavy rains, and strong winds. The weather conditions have led to the destruction and flooding of temporary tents where people live, while Israel continues to prevent the entry of basic necessities like tents, tarps, and temporary housing.

It said: Today, the Israeli government seeks to ban what remains, in fact, of limited aid and services.

It highlighted that it continues to seek to engage with Israeli authorities to be able to maintain its vital services and support the destroyed healthcare system in Gaza.

It stated: Allowing humanitarian aid to enter is not a favor; it is an obligation imposed by international law. Today, more than ever, Palestinians need an escalation of services, not a reduction.