Aid groups petition Israeli Supreme Court as Gaza, West Bank work ban nears

Al Jazeera

February 25, 2026

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Aid groups are challenging a decision by the Israeli government to ban 37 international organizations from operating in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, including life-saving missions, set to take effect on March 1. These groups, including Oxfam, Doctors Without Borders (MSF), and the Norwegian Refugee Council, have filed a petition with Israel’s Supreme Court seeking an urgent suspension of the ban, warning it could lead to a humanitarian crisis. The move by Israel comes amid ongoing conflict in Gaza and growing concerns over the impact on Palestinian civilians who rely heavily on aid for survival. The Israeli government claims the ban is necessary for security reasons but has faced sharp criticism from international organizations. Many of these groups received notices on December 30, 2025, requiring them to provide detailed personal information about their Palestinian staff within 60 days or face suspension. The aid groups argue that complying with this demand would expose their employees to potential retaliation and violate principles of humanitarian neutrality. They have proposed alternative measures, such as independent donor-audited vetting systems, to address Israeli concerns without compromising their operations. The situation is particularly dire in Gaza, where over 2 million residents already rely on aid for basic necessities like food, water, healthcare, and shelter. The conflict has further exacerbated the need for assistance, with recent strikes and restrictions on aid entry leaving many families vulnerable. In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, ongoing military actions, demolitions, and settler violence have increased humanitarian needs, making the work of these organizations critical to maintaining stability. The petition highlights the broader implications of the ban, warning it could disrupt the entire humanitarian system in the region. With 133 NGO workers killed in Gaza since October 2023, including 15 MSF staff, the risks to aid workers have never been higher. The groups argue that forcing

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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/25/2026