Israel confirms criticized halt to emergency aid in Gaza

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Israel confirms criticized halt to emergency aid in Gaza
Photo: Abdel Kareem Hana/AP/TT

37 humanitarian organizations providing emergency aid to Gaza have not met "security and transparency requirements" in a timely manner and have been banned from operating, Israel announces.

International organizations that have been ordered to disclose detailed information about their Palestinian staff will be suspended in Gaza from March 1.

The UN has warned that this will worsen the humanitarian crisis in the area.

The organizations believe that Israel's new requirements violate international humanitarian law and jeopardize their independence. Israel, for its part, claims that the rules are designed to prevent organizations it accuses of supporting terrorism from operating in the Palestinian territories.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF), the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and Oxfam are some of those affected.

Israel has accused Doctors Without Borders of employing two staff members who were allegedly members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, a charge denied by MSF.

The Norwegian Refugee Council says foreign staff are necessary to carry out the work and also serve as protection. Disclosing information about staff is unthinkable, according to the NRC.

It was in March that the organizations were given a ten-month deadline to adapt to Israel's new rules.

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By TT News AgencyEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for our readers

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