NGOs warn of catastrophic impact, Penny Wong doesn’t care

The Australian government remains silent on Israel’s ban of 37 international aid organizations in Gaza, despite warnings from humanitarian groups. Stephanie Tran reports.

In accordance with the new registration requirements introduced by the Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Anti-Semitism, NGOs necessary submit lists of their Palestinian employees for review and refrain from criticizing Israel.

Some NGOs did not comply with the requirement to disclose the identities of their Palestinian employees, citing security concerns. reports He said Israel deliberately targeted and killed aid workers in Gaza.

As a result, the registrations of 37 international NGOs expired as of December 31, 2025. Organizations will be required to withdraw their registration by March 1, 2026 if their registration is not renewed.

Aid ban comes as Israel does laws passed Banning the supply of water and electricity to UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

“Absolutely devastating.” Israel bans aid organizations in Gaza, Australia publishes anti-Semite list

MWM He wrote to Foreign Minister Penny Wong and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) asking for clarification of Australia’s position on Israel’s suspension of humanitarian organizations operating in Gaza.

Questions included whether Australia intended to publicly condemn Israel’s decision to ban aid organisations; how the government assessed the action’s compliance with international humanitarian law, including Israel’s obligations under the Geneva Conventions; and whether Australia will join or support diplomatic statements or measures with other countries calling for the ban to be lifted.

DFAT declined to comment on the recordings, while Minister Wong did not respond to a request for comment.

In correspondence with MWMDFAT instead submitted a statement saying “for use in reporting, not for attribution”. The Ministry stated the following in its response: previous joint statement It was signed by Minister Wong, who called on Israel to allow aid to Gaza.

International condemnation grows

The refusal to comment comes at a time when the UN Secretary-General, several governments and at least 53 international NGOs have publicly condemned Israel’s suspension of 37 aid agencies operating in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, warning that it would severely restrict humanitarian access to Gaza and violate Israel’s obligations under international law.

Foreign ministers of Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom published a joint statement condemns and warns about aid ban

If INGOs’ activities are stopped, one in three health facilities in Gaza will close.

UN Secretary General António Guterres in the name He called on Israel to reverse the measures, warning that doing so would “further worsen the humanitarian crisis facing Palestinians.”

Seven European countries on Monday condemned Israel’s policies are incompatible with humanitarian principles and obligations under international law.

One joint letter53 international aid organizations called the ban “a deliberate policy choice with predictable consequences.”

“More than 500 humanitarian workers have been killed since October 7, 2023. INGOs cannot transfer sensitive personal data to one side of the conflict because this would violate humanitarian principles, duty of care and data protection obligations,” the letter said.

NGOs are in uncertainty

Doctors Without Borders MSF (MSF), one of the largest medical service providers operating in Gaza, said the situation of uncertainty remains.

“Our registration expired as of December 31st,” said Engagement Director Ashley Killeen. Doctors Without Borders Australia and New Zealand. “We’re still trying to have a dialogue with Israeli officials to try and maintain some kind of access.”

“At this point in time, we still remain in Gaza and continue to negotiate. This is a delicate moment.”

Killeen said claims that MSF did not comply with the new registration process were inaccurate.

“We have been fully engaged in the process announced in July, submitting most of the necessary information,” he said.

However, Killeen stated that MSF was reluctant to comply with the requirement to provide the identities of its Palestinian staff due to security concerns.

Revealing the names of our staff is an ethical red line that we are not willing to cross.

“15 of our colleagues have been killed by Israeli forces since the beginning of the war. We are obliged to protect the rights of our staff and therefore we are not willing to provide the personnel list of our Palestinian colleagues in Gaza.”

MSF has been operating in Gaza since 1989, supporting six hospitals and two field hospitals.

“We give birth to one in three babies in Gaza. I don’t know what their solution would be if MSF wasn’t allowed to operate,” Killeen said.

“The entire healthcare system has been destroyed. It’s terrible that the little help and services that are provided to people there are being banned.”

ActionAid Australia It also warned that deregistration would seriously undermine its ability to operate.

“Deregistration will severely restrict our ability to bring food, medical supplies and other assistance to Gaza, scale operations and respond to major humanitarian needs,” ActionAid Australia chief executive Michelle Higelin said.

“This action by the Israeli Government not only undermines ActionAid,

but the entire architecture of humanitarian intervention.

ActionAid has provided humanitarian aid and medical support to more than 650,000 displaced people in the last two years.

“The impact is not intangible; it is already being borne by families who are surviving day by day,” Higelin said. “For people in Gaza, this decision will mean less water and food, little or no sanitation, reduced shelter and medical support, and increased exposure to health risks.”

Higelin warned that pregnant women would be especially affected by the aid ban.

“As we support one of the only functioning maternity hospitals in Gaza, we are particularly concerned about the effects on pregnant women giving birth in unsterile conditions.”

ActionAid reiterated MSF’s concerns about the disclosure of the identities of Palestinian staff.

“We cannot comply with requirements that force us to hand over sensitive personal data of Palestinian personnel and their families or to accept political and ideological conditions unrelated to humanitarian work,” Higelin said. “No humanitarian organization should be forced to choose between protecting its staff and continuing lifesaving assistance.”

Violation of international humanitarian law

According to international humanitarian law, occupying forces compulsory Ensuring the provision of life-saving assistance to civilians in conflict zones. 4. The Geneva Convention and customary international law require that humanitarian aid be allowed to reach civilians without undue obstruction.

International Bar Association Human Rights Institute, warned He stated that deliberate blocking of humanitarian aid, leading to hunger and widespread suffering, constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law and may constitute a war crime.

Amnesty International Australia to have characterized The broader blockade of Israel and the systematic withholding of aid constitute not only a violation of humanitarian law but also potentially a crime against humanity; Reference is made to provisions of the Geneva Conventions requiring occupying forces to ensure unconditional provision of food and medical supplies to the population.

Killeen said, “Providing humanitarian aid is an obligation under international law. Israel has an obligation to allow aid to Gaza.”

Killeen said MSF was calling on the Australian government to do more than reiterate general support for aid access.

International law?

“What we expect from our government is that they continue to uphold the principles of international humanitarian law and, in doing so, defend the right of organizations like MSF to continue providing assistance to people in Gaza,” he said.

Higelin said that moment required decisive action from the Australian government.

“This is a turning point: a moment that will make or break the future of civil space and humanitarian aid in Palestine, which Israel has unlawfully occupied for decades.

“We call on UN agencies and donor governments, including Australia, to use all available force to ensure this decision is reversed. Independent, principled humanitarian operations must be protected to ensure civilians can receive the assistance they urgently need.”

Life depends on it.”

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