OKI Condemns Operational Ban on 37 Humanitarian Aid Organizations

Illustration of a truck carrying humanitarian aid from Egypt entering Gaza through Rafah (Twitter/@PalestineRCS)

JAKARTA - The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Wednesday condemned Israel's decision to prevent 37 international non-governmental organizations working in the humanitarian and health fields from operating in the occupied Palestinian territories, especially in the Gaza Strip.

OKI emphasized that these organizations play an important and irreplaceable role in alleviating humanitarian suffering in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement, the OIC warned of the serious consequences of Israel's arbitrary actions, noting that it would further exacerbate the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza by obstructing adequate humanitarian and medical assistance to reach the area, quoted from WAFA (31/12).

The organization further explained that Israel's decision was illegal and a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, including the opinion of the International Court of Justice's advisers which requires Israel to facilitate the work of international and humanitarian organizations and ensure the unrestricted delivery of aid to Gaza.

OKI calls on the international community to take the necessary steps, exert effective pressure on the Israeli authorities to cancel the decision, and ensure the protection of humanitarian workers as well as ensuring the freedom of NGOs to operate without restrictions throughout the occupied Palestinian territories, especially in Gaza.

As previously reported, Israeli occupation authorities on Wednesday informed 37 international aid organizations that they would be banned from operating in the Palestinian territories starting January 1, 2026, citing non-compliance with new regulations governing international organizations in the Gaza Strip.

The affected organizations work in the fields of emergency medical services, food assistance, child protection, and support for refugees and people with disabilities.

Furthermore, it is said, this ban will have a major impact on aid efforts and endanger the lives of civilians, especially children and patients, and violate international humanitarian law.

The organizations described the new rules as arbitrary and potentially harmful to their staff.

Among the organizations affected are Action Against Hunger, ActionAid, CARE, Médecins Sans Frontières (Belgium, France, Netherlands, Spain), Mercy Corps, Norwegian Refugee Council, Oxfam Novib to International Rescue Committee.