Gaza, Israeli Supreme Court stops Netanyahu: 'No to the expulsion of 37 NGOs'
"Under international humanitarian law," says Msf, "as an occupying power, the Israeli authorities are obliged to ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance."
The Israeli High Court issued an interim injunction thatprevents the expulsion of 37 international humanitarian organisations operating in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Haaretz reports.
In the past few days 17 NGOs, including Oxfam, Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and Medics Without Borders, had appealed to the Israeli Supreme Court to block the Israeli government's decision to expel them by the end of the month, warning of "catastrophic" consequences for civilians. According to the petition, the NGOs have invested around $500 million to provide emergency aid to the residents of the Gaza Strip, including food, water and medical assistance. Their expulsion would have caused the collapse of the entire aid system in Gaza and endangered human life.
The appeal of Médecins Sans Frontières
Médecins Sans Frontières is calling for 'a massive increase in life-saving aid and unhindered humanitarian access to address the ongoing catastrophe in Gaza, where people continue to die as a result of the incessant violence and persistent restrictions on aid imposed by the Israeli authorities>.
"Despite these policies," reads the statement released by the organisation, "Msf is determined to remain and provide assistance in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for as long as possible, operating through its registration with the Palestinian Authority". Under international humanitarian law, it is then pointed out, "as an occupying power, the Israeli authorities are obliged toguarantee the provision of humanitarian assistance. However, new restrictive regulations, which require 37 NGOs to leave the Occupied Palestinian Territories by 1 March 2026, threaten to drastically reduce already insufficient aid. Governments around the world must ensure compliance with the decisions of the International Court of Justice, including facilitating the provision of humanitarian assistance'.
"Msf is trying to maintain services for patients in an increasingly difficult environment," says Christopher Lockyear, secretary general of Msf. "The needs are enormous and the drastic restrictions have deadly consequences. Hundreds of thousands of patients are in need of medical treatment and psychological care, while tens of thousands of people require ongoing, long-term surgical and psychological care."
