MSF Defies Israeli Demand for Staff Lists, Citing Safety Fears in Gaza

GENEVA, Jan 30 (Reuters) – In a move that heightens tensions over aid delivery, the international medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) announced on Friday it will not provide Israeli authorities with lists of its staff working in Gaza and the West Bank, rejecting a condition set for maintaining access to the territories.

The organization stated it could not obtain the necessary safety guarantees for its teams, framing the Israeli demand as an unacceptable risk. "Submitting these lists without ironclad protections would directly endanger our staff," an MSF spokesperson told Reuters. "Our primary duty is to our patients and our teams, not to bureaucratic procedures that could expose them to harm."

MSF is among 37 international aid groups ordered by Israel this month to cease operations unless they comply with new registration rules, which include disclosing employee details. The policy has sparked a standoff with major humanitarian organizations, who argue that sharing such data in a conflict zone could lead to targeting, referencing the hundreds of aid workers killed since the war began.

Israel's Diaspora Ministry, overseeing the registration, did not immediately comment. Israeli officials have previously stated the measure aims to prevent aid diversion by armed factions—a claim vigorously contested by aid agencies, who say there is no evidence of systematic diversion justifying such a sweeping demand for sensitive personnel data.

Last week, MSF indicated a potential compromise, offering a partial list of staff who consented, provided the data was used solely for administrative logistics. However, negotiations collapsed. "Despite our efforts, we received no meaningful engagement from Israeli authorities on the concrete assurances we need to protect our people," MSF said in its statement.

The refusal sets the stage for a potential expulsion of one of Gaza's key medical providers. MSF warned of a "devastating" impact on an already collapsing healthcare system, where hospitals are overwhelmed, supplies are scarce, and disease spreads amid widespread displacement and bombing.

The Gaza Health Ministry echoed MSF's concerns on Friday, rejecting any sharing of health worker data with Israel and calling it a threat to personal safety.

Analysis: This confrontation underscores the increasingly precarious space for humanitarian work in Gaza. Aid groups operate in a landscape where they must navigate the directives of warring parties while upholding the neutral principles of medical ethics. Israel's demand, framed as a security measure, is seen by the aid community as a potential tool for surveillance and intimidation that could paralyze independent relief efforts. The outcome of this standoff may determine whether international NGOs can continue to function in Gaza without compromising the safety of their staff or their operational independence.

Reactions:

• Dr. Anya Sharma, Humanitarian Policy Analyst, London: "This is a critical red line. If NGOs start handing over staff lists under duress, it erodes the very foundation of humanitarian neutrality and safety. MSF's stance is not just about one organization; it's about protecting the entire aid ecosystem."
• David Chen, Former UN Aid Coordinator: "The administrative burden on aid groups has become a weapon. While oversight is necessary, these demands seem designed to control and restrict, not to facilitate aid. The real losers are civilians waiting for medical care."
• Markus Vogel, Political Commentator: "This is sheer negligence and political posturing from MSF. In a war against terrorist groups who embed themselves in civilian infrastructure, some level of verification is essential. Their refusal only fuels suspicion and hurts the very people they claim to serve."
• Sarah El-Haddad, Medical Student, Cairo: "It's terrifying. My cousin is a doctor with MSF in Gaza. This isn't paperwork—it's a potential death warrant. They are right to refuse. The world must pressure Israel to ensure aid workers are protected, not put on a list."

Reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin in Geneva; Additional reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo; Editing and analysis by Reuters Global Desk.