"Israel's new ban on dozens of aid organisations working in Gaza will have catastrophic consequences for the delivery of vital services in the devastated territory and will put Palestinian lives at imminent risk, diplomats, humanitarian workers and experts say. Thirty-seven NGOs active in Gaza were told by Israel's ministry of diaspora affairs on Tuesday that they would have to cease all operations in the territory within 60 days unless they fulfilled stringent new regulations, which include the disclosure of personal details of their staff."
"In a statement, the ministry said the measures were intended to prevent NGOs employing staff with links to extremist organisations and were necessary to ensure that Hamas did not exploit international aid. Israel has repeatedly claimed that Hamas has systematically diverted aid supplies for military or political purposes and infiltrated aid organisations but has provided limited evidence to support the allegations. Aid organisations said they had been engaging with Israeli officials for many months."
Thirty-seven NGOs operating in Gaza were ordered to cease operations within 60 days unless they comply with new regulations, including disclosure of staff personal details. The ministry framed the measures as necessary to prevent employment of staff linked to extremist organisations and to stop Hamas exploiting international aid. Israel has alleged systematic diversion and infiltration of aid by Hamas but has provided limited evidence. Aid organisations report prolonged engagement with Israeli officials, assert they already conduct extensive vetting, and say meeting the new demands would be harmful and undermine their ability to deliver assistance.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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