Medical Charity Faces Work Ban In Gaza Over Staff List Controversy
A prominent medical charity is facing a ban on its operations in Gaza. The ban comes after the charity declined to provide a list of its staff working in the region to the local government.
The government had demanded staff lists from 37 organizations, alleging that some of their members were connected to armed groups, an accusation the charity vehemently denies.
The charity stated it won't share its staff list as it couldn't guarantee the safety of its workers. The local government reacted by stating its intention to end the charity's activities in Gaza.
Government Stance
The government department responsible for combating antisemitism and overseeing diaspora affairs explained that the decision was based on the charity's failure to submit a staff list, a requirement for all humanitarian organizations operating in the region.
Last year, the government announced that it would revoke the licenses of 37 international non-governmental organizations working in Gaza and the occupied West Bank due to non-compliance with new registration requirements.
Security Measures
According to the government, these measures were necessary to prevent terrorists from infiltrating humanitarian structures. The organizations, including the medical charity and others like ActionAid and the Norwegian Refugee Council, were given a 60-day notice to cease their operations.
This move was strongly criticized by ten countries, including the UK, France, and Canada, who argued that such rules would significantly hinder access to vital services.
Charity's Response
In a statement, the charity explained that it was willing to share a list of its staff members as an exceptional measure, given that certain conditions were met, primarily focusing on the safety of their staff.
However, the charity expressed disappointment at the lack of engagement from the government regarding the necessary safety assurances. The charity emphasized that the staff information should only be used for its stated administrative purpose and should not put their colleagues at risk.
Impact on Humanitarian Assistance
The charity expressed concern that this move was an excuse to hinder humanitarian aid to Gaza. They claimed that humanitarian organizations are being forced to choose between risking their staff's safety or halting essential medical care for vulnerable people.
A senior official from the UN's Palestinian refugee agency warned of "major negative consequences on the ability of international organizations to provide healthcare inside Gaza". He noted the charity's refusal to hand over staff lists was due to the large number of medical and international organization staff killed over the past two years.
According to the charity, the toll includes 1,700 healthcare workers, including 15 of their own staff. The charity currently provides at least 20% of hospital beds in Gaza and operates around 20 health centers. Last year, it conducted over 800,000 medical consultations and over 10,000 infant deliveries, while also providing drinking water.