Doctors Without Borders Decides Not to Share Staff Data with Israel

SadaNews - Doctors Without Borders announced on Friday that after several months of unfruitful communication attempts with the Israeli authorities, and in the absence of any guarantees ensuring the safety of its staff or allowing it to manage its operations independently, it has concluded that it will not share a list of its Palestinian and international staff names with the Israeli authorities under the current circumstances.

In March 2025, the Israeli authorities announced a decision requiring organizations wishing to register to provide personal information about their staff.

From the outset, Doctors Without Borders expressed its grave concerns regarding this procedure, especially given the intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and assaults faced by workers in the medical and humanitarian sectors.

Since October 2023, 1,700 health workers have been martyred, including 15 from Doctors Without Borders. On December 30, the Israeli authorities announced the expiration of the previous registration of Doctors Without Borders, which requires the organization to cease operations within 60 days.

The organization stated that in its efforts to explore all available options, despite their limitations, to continue providing life-saving medical care, it informed the Israeli authorities on January 23 of its readiness to share a specific list of Palestinian and international staff as an exceptional measure, according to clear standards, prioritizing the safety of its workers.

It added that this position came after consultations with its Palestinian colleagues, firmly emphasizing that no information about staff would be shared without obtaining explicit consent from the individuals concerned.

It continued: Despite ongoing efforts, it has become clear in recent days that we have not been able to reach an understanding with the Israeli authorities regarding concrete guarantees. These guarantees included affirming that any information related to the staff would be used exclusively for the stated administrative purpose, would not expose our colleagues to any risks, and that Doctors Without Borders would retain full control over human resources affairs and the management of humanitarian medical supplies, in addition to putting an end to any publications and media materials that could harm the organization's reputation or undermine the safety of its staff.

Doctors Without Borders stated: As a result, in the absence of these clear guarantees, we have decided not to move forward with sharing any information related to the staff under the current circumstances. No information about the staff has been shared with the Israeli authorities in this context.

The statement added: Amid the ongoing humanitarian disaster in Gaza and the escalating violence against healthcare workers, the Israeli authorities are forcing humanitarian organizations to face an impossible choice that puts them in a harsh dilemma between sharing sensitive information about their staff or continuing to provide vital medical care to patients.

It continued: The expulsion of Doctors Without Borders from Gaza and the West Bank would have devastating consequences, as Palestinians face a harsh winter amidst destroyed homes and pressing humanitarian needs. The humanitarian conditions remain extremely harsh, with approximately 500 people killed or injured since October, and essential services have suffered widespread destruction, including food, water, shelter, healthcare, fuel, and livelihoods.

It further noted that the health system has become nearly paralyzed due to the cessation of many specialized services such as burn treatment. In 2025 alone, Doctors Without Borders provided nearly 800,000 medical consultations, delivered one in every three births, and supported one in every five hospital beds, recognizing that these vital services are difficult to replace.

Doctors Without Borders has indicated that it remains open to ongoing dialogue with the Israeli authorities, aiming to maintain its vital medical operations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, and to ensure its continued ability to provide essential and life-saving medical care to those in desperate need.