In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the Muslim countries said that heavy rainfall, storms, and unstable winter weather have worsened already fragile conditions in Gaza, while delays in the entry of essential materials have hampered efforts to restore basic services and establish temporary housing.
They warned that nearly 1.9 million displaced people are living in inadequate shelters, facing flooded camps, damaged tents, collapsing buildings, and exposure to cold temperatures.
They demanded that Israel ensure the UN and international NGOs are able to operate in Gaza and the West Bank in a sustained, predictable, and unrestricted manner, given their integral role in the humanitarian response in the Strip.
“Any attempt to impede their ability to operate is unacceptable,” the foreign ministers added.
Israel confirms ban on 37 NGOs in Gaza
Israel on Thursday said 37 humanitarian agencies supplying aid in Gaza had not met a deadline to meet “security and transparency standards”, and would be banned from the territory, despite an international outcry.
The international NGOs, which had been ordered to disclose detailed information on their Palestinian staff, will now be required to cease operations by March 1.
The United Nations has warned that this will exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory.
Several NGOS have said the requirements contravene international humanitarian law or endanger their independence.
