Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières, or MSF) announced Friday it will not comply with an Israeli demand to provide a list of its staff in Gaza and the West Bank. The organization stated it could not secure assurances regarding the safety of its teams if it were to share this information.
Aid Access at Risk
MSF is one of 37 international organizations recently ordered by Israel to halt operations in the Palestinian territories unless they adhere to new regulations, including the submission of employee details. MSF supports and assists staff at hospitals in Gaza.
Aid groups argue that disclosing staff information could jeopardize their safety, citing the hundreds of aid workers killed or injured during previous conflicts in Gaza. Israel has previously stated the registration requirement aims to prevent aid diversion by Palestinian armed groups, a claim disputed by aid organizations.
Despite repeated attempts to engage with Israeli authorities, MSF said it was unable to obtain the necessary safety guarantees. The organization warned that a ban on its operations in Gaza and the West Bank could have a “devastating impact” on humanitarian services, particularly given the current crisis in Gaza.
The Gaza Ministry of Health also rejected the demand for staff data, stating that sharing such information would threaten the safety of its workers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MSF’s position on sharing staff information?
MSF will not submit lists of its staff to Israeli authorities, as it has not received assurances regarding their safety. The organization had previously offered to share a partial list with staff consent, provided the information was used only for administrative purposes.
How many organizations are affected by this new Israeli regulation?
MSF is one of 37 international organizations that have been ordered by Israel to stop work in the Palestinian territories unless they comply with new rules, including providing employee details.
What is Israel’s stated reason for requesting this information?
Israel has stated that the registration process is intended to prevent the diversion of aid by Palestinian armed groups. Aid agencies dispute this claim.
As MSF and other organizations navigate this impasse, will the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza be further compounded by restrictions on aid delivery?
