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New registration requirements imposed by Israeli authorities have forced Humanity & Inclusion (HI) and dozens of other international humanitarian organisations to reconsider or cease their operations in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, jeopardising vital assistance for millions of civilians amid a deepening humanitarian crisis.
Under the new policy, Israel has conditioned continued registration on expanded disclosure obligations that require organisations to hand over detailed information about their staff, funding sources and partnerships to Israeli authorities — data many aid groups say would compromise their neutrality and could endanger employees, particularly Palestinian staff working on the front lines of relief efforts.
As a result, HI — which has operated in the region for more than four decades providing expertise in disability inclusion, rehabilitation, landmine clearance, and physical recovery services — faces the prospect of withdrawing its staff and programmes if it cannot meet these new demands by March 1, 2026.
The potential exit of HI and other NGOs comes at a particularly dire moment in Gaza, where conflict has sharply increased disability rates. Since October 2023, thousands of amputations have been documented, and local hospitals and rehabilitation centres struggle to keep up with the urgent need for assistive devices, mobility aids, prosthetics and long-term recovery support — services for which HI has been a key provider.
HI’s leadership has publicly criticised the registration criteria as arbitrary and contrary to humanitarian principles. According to statements from the organisation’s international and US directors, complying with requirements that could put staff safety at risk would undermine its core mission of impartial humanitarian action. They warn that the loss of HI’s programmes would leave a substantial gap in critical services for people with disabilities and others who depend on specialised aid that few other organisations can deliver.
The policy change affects 37 international organisations that have been notified their registrations could expire, meaning they may be compelled to cease operations unless they agree to Israel’s terms. Many of these groups have raised similar concerns about handing over sensitive personal data amidst active conflict and widespread violence that, over the past two years, has cost the lives of hundreds of humanitarian workers.
Humanitarian advocates say these registration conditions threaten to hollow out aid efforts across the territory, disrupting essential services ranging from food and water distribution to medical care, shelter provision, and rehabilitation services for civilians affected by war. Some organisations have challenged the policy in Israel’s courts or sought alternative legal bases for continuing operations, such as registration with the Palestinian Authority, which historically provided the legal basis for their presence in Gaza and the West Bank.
Critics argue that the move represents a broader effort to control the humanitarian response and limit independent, international oversight in a conflict-affected region where residents remain heavily reliant on external assistance.
