Refugees International Calls on Israel to Reverse Catastrophic Decision to Suspend More than Two Dozen Humanitarian NGOs in Gaza
Statement by Refugees International Vice President for Programs and Policy Hardin Lang:
“Refugees International condemns Israel’s decision to suspend the operations of more than two dozen humanitarian organizations working in Gaza beginning January 1, 2026. The groups affected include major medical and relief agencies that have played an essential role in keeping civilians alive through the war and its aftermath. This action has no legitimate basis, and as such, constitutes a violation of the intent of the Trump-brokered cease-fire agreement signed by Israel earlier this year.
This action will cost the lives of Palestinians. Gaza is in the heart of winter, with hundreds of thousands of people living in makeshift shelters, damaged buildings, or the open air after repeated displacement. Humanitarian agencies are trying to run a winterization effort—tarps, tents, blankets, warm clothing, heating support, basic repairs. The effects of insufficient aid are already grim: At least 12 people – including an infant – have died from hypothermia in the last two weeks.
Removing these humanitarian organizations now will deepen exposure, illness, and preventable deaths. The targeted organizations provide much of the core relief capacity in Gaza, particularly on health care services. Claims to the contrary by the Israeli government are misleading.
The suspension is not motivated by a sincere desire to prevent diversion of aid; it is a pretext to further restrict aid to Gaza while silencing independent aid organizations. The Israeli government’s broad claims about systemic aid diversion have never been backed up with credible evidence – as even senior U.S. government officials have publicly acknowledged. Under U.S. and international law, parties to a conflict must allow and facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of impartial humanitarian relief.
This move also fundamentally undercuts the ceasefire reached earlier this year. A ceasefire is not only an agreement to reduce violence; it is a commitment to stabilize civilian life and restore meaningful humanitarian assistance at scale. Decisions that strip away the operational backbone of the aid response contradict those commitments, erode confidence in implementation, and turn the promise of improved conditions for civilians into an empty assurance.
Refugees International calls on the government of Israel to reverse this decision immediately and renew the permissions required for humanitarian organizations to function. All governments and donors with leverage should engage urgently and at the highest levels to press for reversal of this decision.”
For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Etant Dupain at edupain@refugeesinternaitonal.org.
Featured Image: Displaced Palestinian families living in tents are struggling to survive amid harsh winter conditions and destruction left by Israeli attacks. Jabalia, Gaza, December 28, 2025. (Photo by Saeed M. M. T. Jaras/Anadolu via Getty Images)