oPt: Joint statement on humanitarian access in Gaza and the registration law affecting INGOS

A coalition of 22 nations and the European Commission has issued a sharp rebuke to Israel, condemning its High Court's recent decision to uphold a controversial INGO registration law that threatens to cripple humanitarian operations across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. This ruling, coming amidst a persistent catastrophic aid crisis in the Gaza Strip, directly undermines critical relief efforts and signals a deepening impasse over humanitarian access. The joint statement highlights the insufficient quantity and quality of aid reaching Gaza, where nearly the entire population remains reliant on life-saving services, and casts the new registration law as part of a broader pattern of restrictive measures. These include ongoing limitations on border crossings, the arbitrary classification of essential goods as 'dual-use items' (with commercial entities reportedly facing fewer restrictions than aid groups), and various bureaucratic hurdles. Such impediments clash directly with Israel's obligations under International Humanitarian Law and jeopardise the framework established by UN Security Council Resolution 2803, which envisioned smoother humanitarian coordination post-conflict. As UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls for the immediate reopening of all Gaza crossings, including Kerem Shalom and Rafah, the international community's focus intensifies on compelling Israel to reverse course on the INGO registration law and facilitate unhindered aid delivery. The coming weeks will test the resolve of signatory nations and the efficacy of diplomatic pressure, with the humanitarian situation poised to deteriorate further if these restrictions remain in force, particularly as organizations grapple with existing funding shortfalls and continued border closures.