Khaberni - The Israeli Supreme Court today, Friday, temporarily prevented the government from shutting down dozens of humanitarian organizations operating in Gaza, which had filed a legal case against the court to challenge new Israeli rules requiring them to disclose the names of Palestinian employees.
In December, Israel ordered 37 international organizations, including Doctors Without Borders and the Norwegian Refugee Council, to cease their operations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank within 60 days unless they agree to the new rules.
About 17 non-governmental organizations and the International Development Agencies Association urgently requested a suspension of the decision in a petition to the Israeli Supreme Court on Sunday, warning of severe humanitarian consequences.
Relief organizations say that sharing employee information could pose a risk to their safety. Hundreds of aid workers were killed and injured during the war in Gaza. Israel says the registrations aim to prevent Palestinian armed groups from diverting aid for their benefit. Relief agencies oppose that substantial aid has been redirected.
Athena Rayburn, the Executive Director for the International Development Agencies Association, said they "are still waiting to see how the state will interpret the judicial order and whether it will lead to an increase in our ability to work," adding that the situation inside Gaza remains "catastrophic."
