Gaza Aid Crisis: Israel's New Rules Spark Standoff with Humanitarian Groups

TEL AVIV—A three-month-long cease-fire in Gaza has held, but a battle over aid is intensifying, putting two million Palestinians at risk. The conflict centers on new Israeli rules requiring humanitarian groups to share staff details or face restrictions on accessing the enclave. According to Israel, the rules aim to prevent militant infiltration, but aid groups, including Doctors Without Borders and Oxfam, argue that sharing data could put their workers at risk. The groups have declined to comply, citing concerns over data misuse and lack of assurance from the Israeli government. The standoff has led to a deadlock, with dozens of organizations, including large international groups, being blocked from accessing Gaza. The situation has created a crisis, particularly for Palestinians who rely on aid for basic necessities like food security and medical care. Israel's Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Anti-Semitism, led by Amichai Chikli, a close ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has been enforcing the new rules. The ministry claims that some aid groups, including Doctors Without Borders, have ties with militant groups, allegations that the group has vehemently denied. Save the Children, another prominent organization, had its application rejected due to alleged ties with a militant group. The group has appealed the decision and vowed to continue working in Gaza through local staff and partners. The crisis has sparked concerns among humanitarian experts, who argue that the new rules set a precedent for Israeli overreach. Athena Rayburn, executive director of the Association of International Development Agencies, warned that the situation could have far-reaching consequences for aid distribution in the region. The United Nations has also expressed concerns, citing the potential collapse of the distribution network relied upon by U.N. agencies. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has been exacerbated by a two-month-long blockade imposed by Israel last year, which led to a famine in Gaza City. Despite Israel's claims that the new rules will not affect the amount of aid reaching Gaza, aid groups argue that the changes are part of an effort to undermine their ability to work and provide aid to Gazans. The situation remains tense, with humanitarian groups and the Israeli government at odds over the future of aid in Gaza.