Israeli Supreme Court permits humanitarian organizations to operate in Gaza

Israel’s Supreme Court has issued a temporary injunction allowing dozens of international aid agencies to continue operating in the Gaza Strip and other Palestinian territories. The court’s decision comes after Israel announced plans to ban 37 aid groups from the region, citing non-compliance with new rules.

In December, Israeli authorities notified several aid organizations that their work registrations had expired, requiring them to renew and provide lists of personal details on their Palestinian staff within 60 days. However, these organizations claim that compliance would expose their staff to potential retaliation, undermine humanitarian neutrality, and violate European data protection law.

Aid agencies, including Doctors Without Borders, Oxfam, and the Norwegian Refugee Council, had petitioned against the government ban. The Supreme Court’s ruling grants them a temporary reprieve, allowing most of their activities to continue while the court considers the petition.

The decision was welcomed by some aid organizations, but also acknowledged the ongoing challenges in Gaza. “The injunction pauses immediate closure,” said Shaina Low, communication adviser for the Norwegian Refugee Council. “Despite a ceasefire agreement, conditions in Gaza remain catastrophic.”

Athena Rayburn, executive director of the Association of International Development Agencies, noted that the situation inside Gaza remains dire. The court’s ruling does not restore visas or reopen access to aid delivery, but rather pauses immediate closure.

In related news, at least six Palestinians were killed in Israeli drone attacks targeting police posts in Gaza on Friday. Medical sources reported several wounded individuals, with some described as critically injured.

Source: Al Jazeera