Israeli ban on aid agencies in Gaza will have ‘catastrophic’ consequences, experts say

Thirty-seven NGOs told they have to cease operations, putting Palestinian lives ‘at imminent risk’

Israel’s new ban on dozens of aid organisations working in Gaza will have “catastrophic” consequences for the delivery of vital services in the devastated territory and will put Palestinian lives “at imminent risk”, diplomats, humanitarian workers and experts say.

Thirty-seven NGOs active in Gaza were told by Israel’s ministry of diaspora affairs on Tuesday that they would have to cease all operations in the territory within 60 days unless they fulfilled stringent new regulations, which include the disclosure of personal details of their staff.