Tel Aviv, Feb 1, (dpa/GNA) – Israel on Sunday said, it intends to stop Doctors Without Borders (MSF) from operating in the Gaza Strip.
Using the group’s original French name, the Diaspora Ministry announced that it has taken “steps to end Médecins Sans Frontières’ activities in the Gaza Strip.”
The ministry cited an alleged violation of a new registration procedure, accusing MSF of failing to submit lists of Palestinian local staff.
The aid group must therefore leave the Gaza Strip by February 28.
The registration procedure aims to “enable legitimate humanitarian work while preventing the abuse of humanitarian structures for hostile activities and terrorism,” the ministry said. The regulation applies to all humanitarian organizations operating in the region.
MSF stated on Sunday that it had not provided the names of its staff “because Israeli authorities failed to provide the concrete assurances required to guarantee [its] staff’s safety, protect their personal data, and uphold the independence of [its] medical operations.”
The organization said it is its duty to protect its colleagues from harm, and continue providing medical assistance amidst a humanitarian catastrophe and unimaginable suffering.
On Friday, MSF had already said, it had decided not to provide Israeli authorities with a list of its Palestinian and international staff.
The decision followed months of unsuccessful attempts to enter into dialogue with the Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of its staff, according to MSF.
“From the outset, MSF raised serious concerns about this request in a context where medical and humanitarian workers have been intimidated, arbitrarily detained, and attacked,” MSF said in its statement from Friday. “Since October 2023, 1,700 health staff have been killed, as well as 15 MSF colleagues” in the Gaza Strip.
Critics accuse Israel of deliberately cracking down on aid groups that have been providing urgently needed care in the Gaza Strip, since the beginning of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
While a ceasefire has been in place in the devastated territory since October, humanitarian conditions remain dire for the 2 million inhabitants of Gaza.
At the beginning of the year, Israel revoked the licences of dozens of aid organizations.
Critics see unclear provisions in the registration requirements for international aid organizations, which allow for arbitrary decisions.
Organizations are also required to disclose confidential information about Palestinian staff, and dismiss staff upon request without being given reasons.
The involvement of a conflict party in personnel verification, is seen as a violation of humanitarian principles such as neutrality and independence.
Israeli Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli reiterated serious accusations against MSF, which it had already rejected.
“We are aware that Médecins Sans Frontières employs individuals active in terrorist organizations – that is why [MSF] conceals its staff lists,” Chikli’s statement said.
MSF also works in coordination with the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry.
MSF stated in early January that it would never knowingly employ individuals involved in military activities. This would contradict its fundamental values and ethics.
Instead of addressing concerns about sharing sensitive data, the responsible ministry ignores repeated requests for a meeting and accuses MSF in the media of knowingly employing alleged terrorists, MSF said.
According to MSF, the lack of medical care in the Gaza Strip remains a significant problem, despite the ceasefire that has been in place for more than three months.
“In the midst of the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and extreme violence against healthcare workers, Israeli authorities are forcing humanitarian organisations into an impossible choice, forced to choose between sharing this information about our staff or interrupting critical medical care,” MSF wrote.
MSF warned of “a devastating impact” on the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian Territories should they have to cease their work. They remain open to dialogue with Israel.
The Israeli statement said that “measures are now being examined to provide alternative medical solutions and ensure the continuity of humanitarian aid for the residents of the Gaza Strip after the organization’s withdrawal.”
GNA