Unnecessary bureaucracy is costing lives
Death will rise in devasted Gaza unless aid is made more freely available, 41 NGOs have warned in a joint statement.
Aid agencies including Oxfam, Médecins Sans Frontières and ActionAid says that between 10 and 21 of October 2025, 17 INGOs have had urgent shipments of aid, including water, food, tents and medical supplies denied entry into Gaza.
Some 94% of all rejections by Israeli authorities were given to INGOs, the groups said.
Despite a ceasefire having been agreed and all living hostages having been released, the organisations say new registration methods are holding up the flow of aid - the allowance of which was one of the conditions of the ceasefire.
Under the new provisions, international NGOs face de-registration or rejection for new applications based on things like 'delegitimising Israel'; expressing support for action against Israel for violations of international law; or public support for a boycott of Israel within the past seven years (by staff, a partner, board member, or founder).
INGOs are further required to submit complete staff lists and other sensitive information about staff and their families to Israel when applying for registration.
The joint aid agencies said: "The announcement of a ceasefire was welcomed as a critical moment of relief for Palestinian civilians, yet reports of renewed violations highlight its fragility. The continued rejection of aid entry is deeply alarming. After more than two years of relentless and continued bombardments — with dozens killed in the past week alone — and the resulting deprivation, forced displacement, and starvation, blocking humanitarian expertise and supplies undermines the collective effort to save lives.
"Almost $50 million worth of essential goods from operational INGOs — food, medical supplies, hygiene items, and shelter materials — remain stockpiled at crossings and warehouses, unable to reach those in need. Palestinians in Gaza are now bracing for winter, many in makeshift shelters without insulation, heating, clean water, or toilet facilities.
"Time is running out, without immediate, unimpeded access, preventable deaths will rise.
"The restrictions are depriving Palestinians from lifesaving aid and undermining coordination of the response system in Gaza which relies on collaboration between local organisations, national institutions, UN agencies and international NGOs.
"Humanitarian access is a legal obligation under international law, not a concession of the ceasefire. The ceasefire must ensure a lasting end to hostilities and guarantee the free, safe, principled and sustained flow of aid in line with Palestinians rights to safety, dignity, and self-determination. Anything less risks turning relief into yet another broken promise. Israel’s new registration system must be rescinded to allow aid to move freely, unimpeded and unrestricted."
