MSF statement on sharing staff information and humanitarian operations in Palestine - MSF - Médecins Sans Frontières

Israel has banned the international medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) from operating in Gaza and the occupied West Bank after the organization refused to provide a list of its Palestinian and international staff. The Israeli foreign ministry accused MSF of having "something to hide" for declining to share the information, framing the demand as a matter of transparency and security. MSF stated that it could not engage with Israeli authorities on the necessary assurances regarding the use of staff information, emphasizing concerns that it would not guarantee the safety of its personnel (Middle East Eye, The Hindu). In response to the ban, MSF criticized the Israeli government's actions, labeling the demand for staff lists as a "pretext to obstruct humanitarian assistance." The organization expressed that withholding the names was necessary due to safety concerns for their staff, which Israeli authorities did not adequately address (France24, The Times of Israel). MSF warned that the cessation of its medical operations in Gaza would have catastrophic consequences for the local population, particularly amid ongoing humanitarian crises that have severely impacted healthcare access (The Times of Israel). The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by humanitarian organizations operating in conflict zones like Gaza, where access to aid is complicated by security concerns and political tensions. The incident reflects a broader pattern of governmental control over humanitarian efforts, which can obstruct the delivery of essential services to vulnerable populations (France24). The implications of this ban extend beyond immediate aid disruption, raising questions about the safety of aid workers and the operational viability of NGOs in politically sensitive areas (The Jerusalem Post).