Israel Bars Some Aid Workers From Gaza as Groups Face Suspension

Israel said it barred entry to some foreign medical and humanitarian staff after ordering 37 international NGOs to halt operations unless they register employee details with Israeli authorities; several organisations reported their international staff were refused entry this week.

Israel announced restrictions on the entry of foreign medical and humanitarian staff whose organisations were ordered to stop operations unless they register employee details with Israeli authorities and meet new conditions. The diaspora ministry managing the process said NGOs were granted 60 days to conclude operations and that the entry of foreign personnel was not approved. Some 37 international nongovernmental organisations were affected, and aid groups have raised concerns about the safety of sharing staff information. Key developments: - Israel ordered 37 international NGOs to halt operations unless they registered staff details and complied with new rules. - The diaspora ministry said organisations have 60 days to conclude operations and that 23 groups had agreed to the registration measures, allowing humanitarian goods to continue through those channels. - Medecins Sans Frontieres, Medecins du Monde Suisse and the Danish Refugee Council said their international staff were refused entry this week. - A U.N.-led coordination body said the organisations that registered could meet only a fraction of Gaza's humanitarian needs, and NGOs said sharing staff details raises safety concerns for local and international personnel. Summary: The announced measures limit the presence of some international staff in Gaza and may reduce specialised medical and aid services available to civilians. Some organisations are weighing whether to register staff details to maintain operations, while Israeli authorities say registered groups will continue to deliver goods. Undetermined at this time what the longer-term effects will be; the diaspora ministry set a 60-day period for NGOs to conclude operations or comply with the new rules.