Statement by the Humanitarian Country Team of the Occupied Palestinian Territory*

The United Nations and humanitarian partners take note of the temporary injunction issued yesterday by the Israeli High Court of Justice, which prohibits any alteration of the existing situation concerning the registration status of several international non-governmental organizations operating in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and prevents any action to register rights, until further notice.  

These humanitarian organizations, in close coordination with UN agencies and national partners, provide a wide range of essential services - food, water, medical care, shelter, nutrition, education, and protection - particularly in the Gaza Strip, where needs persist at critical levels. Enabling INGOs to continue their operations is essential to reaching the most vulnerable groups, particularly women, children, persons with disabilities, and displaced communities.  

Once again, we urge the Government of Israel to lift restrictions that impede humanitarian operations. We also call on the international community to support efforts aimed at ensuring the continuity of principled humanitarian assistance in accordance with international humanitarian law.

*The Humanitarian Country Team is a strategic decision-making forum led by the Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory. It brings together heads of UN entities and over 200 NGOs – both international and local – all working on humanitarian affairs in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip under internationally agreed humanitarian principles.