Aid agencies warn of 'devastating' impact on Gaza after Israeli ban

A raft of aid organisations working in Gaza have warned of "devastating" consequences after Israel announced it would be banning them from operating. 

Israel said 37 organisations had failed to meet its new stringent rules for aid groups working in the occupied Gaza Strip, and would be suspended from 1 January.

Those affected include major international aid groups Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Oxfam, ActionAid and the Norwegian Refugee Council.

Bushra Khalidi, Oxfam's policy lead in the occupied Palestinian territory, told Middle East Eye the new rules would compound an already disastrous situation in Gaza.

"Since March, Israeli authorities have been blocking Oxfam and many other organisations from bringing materials into Gaza regardless of the formal status of our registration," she said.

Read more: Aid agencies warn of 'devastating' impact on Gaza after Israeli ban