UN Chief Urges Israel to Lift NGO Ban in Gaza, West Bank

Guterres says pending ban targets groups ‘indispensable to life-saving’ work, undermines ceasefire progress.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged Israel to reverse a ban on 37 NGOs in Gaza and the West Bank, emphasizing their critical role in humanitarian efforts and warning it could jeopardize ceasefire progress. Israel’s ban is based on new registration rules deemed arbitrary by experts, risking the safety of aid workers. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is exacerbated by ongoing restrictions on aid, with 71,271 Palestinians reported killed since October 7, 2023. Foreign ministers from several countries have called for immediate action to lift these constraints and address the worsening conditions for civilians.