Israel’s decision this week to revoke the licenses of more than three dozen humanitarian organizations has forced aid groups to reassess their Gaza operations, raising concerns over their ability to assist tens of thousands of Palestinians in need.
The 37 groups represent some of the most prominent of the more than 100 independent nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) working in Gaza, alongside United Nations agencies.
Those banned include Doctors Without Borders, the Norwegian Refugee Council, Oxfam and Medical Aid for Palestinians.
The groups do everything from providing tents and water to supporting clinics and medical facilities. The overall impact, however, remains unclear.
The most immediate impact of the license revocation is that Israel will no longer allow the groups to bring supplies into the Gaza Strip or send international staffers into the territory. Israel says all suspended groups have to halt their operations by March 1.
