Israel imposes new sanctions on Gaza amid regional tensions

Here is a rewritten version of the article in a neutral newsroom style:

Israel and the US have launched an attack on Iran, prompting panic among Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The border crossings were closed, causing widespread panic as people rushed to markets to buy essential goods. Prices for food and basic necessities skyrocketed.

The closure of the border crossings coincided with the expiration of a 37-day grace period set by Israel for NGOs operating in Gaza to withdraw due to registration requirements not being met. However, an Israeli Supreme Court ruling allowed some organizations to continue operating while their appeal against the ban is considered.

Despite this reprieve, many NGOs face significant challenges in continuing their operations. The Israeli occupation has prevented supplies and foreign staff from entering Gaza, which are crucial for these organizations’ work. According to reports, these NGOs provide half of the food handouts and 60% of services provided in field hospitals in the Strip.

The impact on families in Gaza is expected to be severe, with many facing hunger due to the lack of food parcels being distributed. The closure of international organizations also poses a significant threat to employment opportunities for Palestinians.

In recent months, Israel has taken steps to restrict the operations of several NGOs, including Doctors Without Borders and ActionAid. In some cases, these restrictions have resulted in the suspension of services, such as those provided by World Central Kitchen, which serves 1 million meals daily.

Israel’s actions also extend beyond the Gaza Strip, with the country having banned the operations of the UNRWA agency, which provides critical support to Palestinian refugees. The agency has reported significant cuts to its budget and staff reductions, including the firing of 600 employees last month.

The situation in Gaza remains dire, with unemployment rates exceeding 80%. The closure of international organizations and border crossings is expected to exacerbate this crisis, leaving hundreds of thousands of civilians without access to essential services.

Source: Al Jazeera