The risk of losing access to medical care, drinking water and life support would affect around half a million people in Gaza if international organizations, including Doctors Without Borders (MSF), are prevented from entering the enclave by a decision by the Israeli authorities, as the organization itself reported. The NGO warned that Israel’s new requirements for registering humanitarian organizations could leave hundreds of thousands of Palestinians without vital services from 2026.
According to Médecins Sans Frontières, these organizations providing health assistance in conflict contexts are at risk of losing their ability to operate due to the obligation to register officially before December 31st. If they fail to comply with this requirement, they will have 60 days to cease their activities in the region. In addition, the registration system takes into account specific reasons for rejecting applications, such as supporting international legal proceedings against Israeli security forces or promoting campaigns that the authorities consider hostile.
The media reported that MSF had asked the Israeli government to allow neutral and independent humanitarian assistance to be maintained in Gaza. The organization expressed concern about the reduction in space for humanitarian work, as existing restrictions have already significantly limited its ability to operate and have caused significant damage to local health infrastructure.
Médecins Sans Frontières estimates that by 2025, MSF has committed almost 100 million euros to operations in the Gaza Strip, where it has treated more than 100,000 people with traumatic injuries, managed more than 400 hospital beds and performed almost 23,000 surgical procedures on around 10,000 patients. The number of outpatient consultations exceeded 800,000, said the report cited by Doctors Without Borders. By 2026, the organization wants to increase this budget to 120 million euros for humanitarian aid in the enclave.
Currently, MSF works with six public hospitals in the Gaza Strip, manages two field hospitals and supports four primary health centers. In addition, the company operates a hospital center focused on treating malnutrition and has developed six new primary care units in the region.
At the same time, MSF continues to seek a channel of dialogue with the Israeli authorities to obtain guarantees that will allow it to continue its work in Gaza and the West Bank. The organization emphasizes the importance of ensuring access to international assistance remains open and without additional restrictions to avoid a major health crisis.
Authorities in the enclave, which is under the control of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), put the death toll at 70,900 and the number of injured at 171,190 as a result of the Israeli offensive, according to data provided and recorded by Doctors Without Borders. Since October 10, when a ceasefire was agreed and came into force, reports have recorded more than 400 deaths and 1,100 more injured, despite complaints of continued bombing by the Israeli army, which justifies its actions by citing operations against groups considered terrorists.
The agreement, signed last October, included a ceasefire and Hamas handing over hostages, both living and dead, until the location of a body was found in the enclave. In addition, the second phase of the agreement, which is still pending implementation, envisages the creation of a temporary authority headed by Trump that would be tasked with monitoring the situation in the Gaza Strip and coordinating an international security force whose members would come from different countries. However, no specific details were released about the composition of this body or the mechanisms for the Israeli military withdrawal, Doctors Without Borders reported.
The deepening humanitarian crisis is accompanied by the massive destruction of hospitals, health centers and other vital infrastructure for the population, Doctors Without Borders warned. The medical organization claims that another interruption in the flow of aid would have serious consequences for the health system and the population already exhausted by the ongoing conflict.
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