A new Israeli registration mandate is threatening to halt vital humanitarian operations in Gaza and the West Bank, placing millions of people at risk. International aid groups have until December 31 to comply with the new rules, or face the forced closure of their operations within 60 days.

This standoff jeopardises the core of the humanitarian response in the Palestinian territories, where organisations like Save the Children and Doctors Without Borders provide life-saving healthcare, food, and water. The United Nations warns that the departure of these non-governmental organisations (INGOs) would create a vacuum that cannot be filled, pushing an already dire situation to a breaking point.

For Kenyans, where international NGOs are crucial partners in responding to everything from drought to refugee crises, the potential paralysis of aid in Gaza serves as a stark reminder of how bureaucratic hurdles can have life-or-death consequences. President William Ruto has previously expressed grave concern over the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, calling for adherence to international law.

A System Under Fire

Introduced in March, the new registration system has been heavily criticised by a coalition of over 200 aid agencies, including the UN's Humanitarian Country Team. They argue the system uses "vague, arbitrary, and highly politicised criteria" that compromise core humanitarian principles. As of November, approximately 100 applications had been submitted; 14 were rejected, with others still under review.

Israel's Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism stated the measure is not meant to impede aid but to prevent organisations linked to hostile activity from operating. Grounds for rejection include:

• Alleged involvement in terrorism or antisemitism.
• Activities deemed to be "delegitimising" Israel.
• Denial of the October 7 attacks.

However, aid groups like Oxfam and Doctors Without Borders contend these rules are designed to control and censor their work, forcing them to choose between compliance and their principles of neutrality. Many noted that millions of dollars' worth of essential supplies are already stuck outside Gaza due to the new restrictions.

As the clock ticks towards the New Year, the fate of essential services for millions of Palestinians hangs precariously. The UN has been clear: if these INGOs are forced out, the humanitarian response as a whole cannot survive.