Sources have revealed that at least seven non-governmental medical organizations will no longer be allowed entry into the Gaza Strip under new Israeli directives.
According to CNN, the World Health Organization (WHO) informed organizations like Fajr, Jalia, the Palestinian American Medical Association, and at least four others—all of which have long histories of working in Palestinian territories—that they are now banned by Israel. Members of these organizations currently in Gaza will not be permitted to return once they leave.
Dorothea Gucciardo, the Director of Development for Jalia, confirmed that they are among the banned organizations. Speaking to CNN, she said, “Barring healthcare workers from entering Gaza will further cripple any capacity to provide life-saving care to Palestinians, who are already suffering under nearly 20 years of military blockade.”
The situation in Gaza reflects an increasingly tight control over humanitarian access by Israeli authorities. Since October 2023, aid workers have faced significant challenges in delivering assistance, as Israel has restricted entry through border crossings and imposed a blockade that limits essential supplies. This has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, leaving millions in Gaza without adequate food, water, or medical care. Despite calls from international organizations, Israel has denied many requests for humanitarian access, leaving many areas, particularly in northern Gaza, completely cut off.
In contrast, the situation in Lebanon has seen direct attacks on UN peacekeepers and aid convoys, as Israeli forces have targeted sites associated with international organizations, including UNIFIL, during ongoing cross-border tensions with Hezbollah. While the focus in Lebanon is on direct military engagement, in Gaza, it is the suffocating blockade and the systematic denial of humanitarian aid that has drawn international concern.
Both situations highlight the complex and volatile environment in the region, with significant implications for humanitarian operations and the safety of aid workers. International pressure continues to mount on Israel to open access for aid in both Gaza and southern Lebanon, where UN forces are also being targeted.
