• Israel has banned Doctors Without Borders (MSF) from operating in Gaza.
• The ban follows MSF's refusal to provide a list of its staff to Israeli authorities.
• MSF has been a major provider of medical care in Gaza, handling over 800,000 consultations last year.

Israel has officially banned the international medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) from operating in Gaza, effective February 28, following its refusal to hand over a list of Palestinian and international staff members. The Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs cited the need for transparency and security, stating that the refusal indicated that MSF “has something to hide,” allegations that MSF strongly denies, according to Middle East Eye and Al Jazeera.

The Israeli government had previously mandated that 37 aid organizations, including MSF, submit documentation about their local and international employees in order to continue their operations. This requirement was framed as a measure against the potential infiltration of armed groups using humanitarian cover. However, MSF’s management expressed concerns over staff safety and indicated that it could not secure adequate assurances regarding the use of the shared information, according to Le Monde and BBC.

The decision to revoke MSF's operating license is likely to hinder critical humanitarian services in Gaza, where the organization has been instrumental in providing medical support, operating approximately 20 health centers and ensuring at least 20% of hospital beds are available. Reports indicate that MSF performed over 800,000 medical consultations and over 10,000 infant deliveries in the previous year alone. The ban poses risks to the already fragile healthcare infrastructure, as reiterated by multiple health organizations concerned with the implications of such measures, according to Anadolu Agency and Le Monde.

Humanitarian groups have condemned the Israeli government's move, stating it systematically undermines the ability to deliver essential services amid a dire humanitarian crisis marked by a significant uptick in violence. The ongoing conflict has led to thousands of healthcare workers being killed, including 15 from MSF, which raises serious concerns about the sustainability of medical services amidst escalating violence, as highlighted by reports from BBC and Al Jazeera.