Gaza’s health system in ruins as Israel’s NGO restrictions cut lifesaving aid

Key Concepts

• Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: The severe deterioration of the healthcare system and overall living conditions in Gaza following months of conflict.
• NGO Closures: The impending closure of 37 international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) due to new Israeli regulations.
• Restrictions on Humanitarian Access: Limitations imposed on the ability of aid organizations to operate effectively in Gaza, including staff registration and supply delivery.
• International Law Obligations: The legal responsibility of Israel to ensure humanitarian access to Gaza under international law.
• Vulnerable Populations: The disproportionate impact of the crisis on children, women, and the elderly.

The Collapse of Gaza’s Health System & Impending NGO Closures

The health system in Gaza is currently in a state of collapse following months of ongoing conflict. Hospitals have sustained significant damage or have been completely destroyed, leading to critical shortages of medical supplies. Consequently, almost the entire population of over 2 million Palestinians within the Gaza Strip is now reliant on humanitarian assistance for survival. This assistance is largely provided by organizations like Doctors Without Borders (MSF), one of 37 international NGOs facing imminent closure.

In December, Israel revoked the operating licenses of these organizations, setting a deadline of March for compliance with newly implemented, stringent regulations. These regulations pose significant operational challenges, potentially halting vital aid delivery. A representative from Doctors Without Borders highlighted the multifaceted impact of these closures, stating, “There’s a multitude of effects… it could be supply, it could be our ability to continue to pay for services here in the strip… we face shortages already in the form of diesel and medical supply. It’s also just how it affects the emotions of the people here. You know where are they going to go if MSF leaves.”

New Israeli Regulations & Risks to Humanitarian Operations

A key requirement imposed by Israel is the full disclosure of personal details of all NGO staff. Several NGOs argue that this requirement jeopardizes the safety of their employees, particularly if license renewals are not granted. Eight groups have collectively stated that they will be unable to bring in international staff, import essential medical supplies, or safely coordinate movements with the Israeli military if these registrations are not renewed. This effectively renders humanitarian work in Gaza “nearly impossible.”

Doctors Without Borders specifically provides specialized medical care unavailable in government facilities, including crucial maternity and neonatal services, treatment for severe burns, and trauma surgery. The potential loss of this organization is causing significant anxiety amongst the population. One patient expressed their desperation, stating, “If this organization closes, I won't know where to go. I am completely dependent on it. If I dress my wound at home, it will get inflamed and I won't know how to heal it.”

Worsening Conditions & International Law

The situation is further exacerbated by worsening winter conditions and widespread acute food shortages. The demand for life-saving assistance is at a critical level. Aid organizations warn that restricting support at this juncture risks undoing the limited progress achieved during the recent ceasefire. They emphasize that humanitarian access is not a political consideration, but a “legal obligation under international law.” Failure to provide this access will have “devastating” consequences for the most vulnerable populations in Gaza – children, women, and the elderly.

As Hinder Al Jazzer reported from Gaza, Palestine, the current restrictions represent a severe threat to the survival and well-being of the Gazan population.