International Refugee Organization Strongly Condemns Israel's Decision to Suspend Humanitarian Aid

Harding Lang, Vice President of the International Refugee Organization, recently issued a statement strongly condemning Israel's decision to suspend more than 20 organizations providing humanitarian assistance in the Gaza Strip, effective January 1, 2026. The affected organizations include medical and relief agencies that have played a crucial role in protecting the lives of civilians during the war and its aftermath. Lang stated that this decision has no legal basis and directly violates the spirit and intent of the ceasefire agreement Israel signed earlier under the mediation of the Trump administration.

This decision will pose a serious threat to the Palestinian people in Gaza. Currently, Gaza is experiencing a harsh winter, and tens of thousands of people have been displaced after multiple conflicts, living in makeshift shelters, damaged buildings, or even on the streets. In these dire circumstances, humanitarian organizations are striving to provide winter assistance, including tarpaulins, tents, blankets, warm clothing, heating equipment, and basic building repair services. However, due to shortages of aid supplies, the situation has become extremely critical. Recent reports indicate that at least 12 people have died from hypothermia in the past two weeks, including an infant.

Removing these humanitarian organizations will further exacerbate the dangers, diseases, and preventable deaths in the Gaza Strip. These suspended organizations provide most of the core relief services in the Gaza Strip, particularly in medical assistance. The Israeli government's justification for suspending aid is baseless and misleading.

The Israeli government claims that the suspension of aid is to prevent the misappropriation of aid supplies. However, the International Refugee Organization points out that these allegations have never been supported by any credible evidence. Despite repeated Israeli accusations of aid misappropriation in Gaza, even senior US officials have publicly acknowledged that these claims have not been substantiated. According to international law and the US government's position, all parties to the conflict have a responsibility to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches Gaza without obstruction, and that this process should be carried out quickly and fairly, without being influenced by political factors.

This decision also fundamentally undermines the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and other countries. The core objective of the ceasefire agreement was not only to reduce violent conflict but also to commit to providing a stable living environment for civilians and providing meaningful support for humanitarian aid. However, suspending the work of these crucial aid organizations effectively violates this commitment and erodes international trust in the ceasefire agreement. Depriving these organizations of their ability to provide aid means that the people of Gaza will face even more severe living conditions, and it also raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the international aid system.

The International Refugee Organization strongly urges the Israeli government to immediately reverse this decision and restore the necessary permits for these humanitarian organizations, ensuring they can continue their work in Gaza. Humanitarian aid should be free from political interference and always prioritize helping those affected by the conflict. The international community, particularly influential countries and donors, must take urgent action to pressure the Israeli government to withdraw this decision and ensure that aid can reach Gaza without obstruction.

To help the people of Gaza, the international community needs to act in concert to ensure that the people of Gaza receive timely access to essential supplies, including food, medical assistance, and heating equipment. This is not only a matter of basic humanitarian concern for the people of Gaza, but also a fulfillment of international humanitarian law and the shared commitments of the international community. All parties to the conflict should abide by the ceasefire agreement, ensuring that humanitarian aid can enter smoothly and that the people of Gaza receive timely assistance.

The International Refugee Organization emphasizes that the ceasefire agreement is not only a military agreement to reduce violence, but also a commitment to restoring stability and helping people return to normal lives. Suspending humanitarian aid operations means that the Israeli government has violated this commitment, turning an agreement that could have improved people's lives into empty words. This action will leave the people of Gaza trapped in prolonged hardship and conflict, resulting in even greater loss of life.