Israel Moves to Expel Doctors Without Borders from Gaza Over Staff Data Dispute
Israel has moved to expel the international medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) from the Gaza Strip, accusing the organization of violating a mandatory registration protocol. The decision, announced Sunday by Israel's Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, will see MSF's humanitarian operations terminated by February 28.
The ministry stated that MSF failed to comply with a requirement, imposed on all aid groups operating in the territory, to submit lists containing personal details of its local Palestinian employees. While MSF had initially agreed to provide the information in early January, it later reversed course, citing fears for staff safety and a lack of guarantees regarding how the data would be used by Israeli authorities.
This escalation follows a broader December announcement from Israel that it would bar 37 aid organizations from working in Gaza starting March 1 for similar non-compliance. The policy has drawn sharp criticism from the United Nations and NGO coalitions, who argue it obstructs vital aid delivery to a besieged population facing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
"This isn't about paperwork; it's an extension of Israel's systematic weaponization of aid," said Dr. James Smith, a London-based emergency physician, in comments to Al Jazeera. "By targeting the Palestinian healthcare system—over 1,700 healthcare workers have been killed—Israel has created a profound dependency on international organizations, only to now sever that lifeline."
MSF has been a cornerstone of Gaza's decimated health infrastructure, especially since the war began in October 2023. The charity reports that its staff currently support at least 20% of hospital beds in Gaza and run approximately 20 health centers. In 2025 alone, MSF carried out over 800,000 medical consultations and facilitated more than 10,000 infant deliveries, while also providing drinking water.
The organization has lost 15 staff members during the conflict. Israeli authorities have previously alleged, without providing public evidence, that two MSF employees had links to Palestinian armed groups—claims MSF has firmly denied.
Aid agencies warn that expelling MSF risks collapsing critical services, including emergency trauma care, maternal health, and pediatric treatment, leaving hundreds of thousands without access to basic medicine.
Reactions from Readers
David Chen, Policy Analyst in Geneva: "This sets a dangerous precedent. Forcing NGOs to choose between violating their duty of care to employees or being expelled cripples the entire humanitarian response. The international community must challenge this bureaucratic blockade."
Sarah Klein, Nurse & Former Aid Worker: "Having worked in conflict zones, I know staff safety is paramount. Handing over names to a party in the conflict could be a death sentence. MSF is right to refuse. This decision will cost innocent lives."
Mark Reynolds, Commentator: "This is sheer hypocrisy from MSF. They operate in a war zone governed by Hamas, a terrorist organization, yet balk at basic transparency with the state of Israel? If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear. Israel has every right to know who is operating in its strategic area."
Anya Petrova, Humanitarian Law Researcher: "The timing is catastrophic. With malnutrition and disease rampant, removing a primary healthcare provider isn't a policy dispute—it's a potential death knell for Gaza's most vulnerable. This appears less about security and more about squeezing the enclave further."