Israeli move to halt MSF work in Gaza a ‘pretext to obstruct humanitarian assistance’, organisation says
Doctors Without Borders (also known as MSF) says Israel’s decision to cancel the group’s operations in Gaza was a “pretext” to obstruct the delivery of humanitarian aid to the war-ravaged enclave.
“This is a pretext to obstruct humanitarian assistance. Israeli authorities are forcing humanitarian organisations into an impossible choice between exposing staff to risk or interrupting critical medical care for people in desperate need,” MSF said in a statement.
Earlier, Israel announced it was terminating MSF’s humanitarian operations in Gaza, citing the organisation’s failure to provide a list of its Palestinian staff. MSF refused to supply Israel with a list of its staff containing detailed personal information because of what it said was concern for their safety.
UNRWA says Israel cut services to its facilities in East Jerusalem
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) says in a post on X that the Israeli government cut water and power supplies to its installations in Shu’fat refugee camp on January 27 and 28.
The Israeli government has been ramping up attacks on UNRWA so far in 2026, after the country’s parliament passed legislation barring the agency from operating in areas under Israeli control in 2024.
“There are more than 200,000 registered [Palestinian] refugees in East Jerusalem, including thousands of vulnerable families who depend on us,” UNRWA’s post reads.
“The suspension of UNRWA services must be prevented. Member states must act.”
UN rapporteur on MSF ban: ‘Israel has NO authority to block anyone’
Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, has condemned Israel’s ban on Doctors Without Borders (MSF) from Gaza.
The ban is part of Israel’s effort to crackdown on NGOs and aid organisations in Palestine.
“Israel has NO authority to block anyone from entering the Palestinian territory it illegally occupies,” Albanese wrote on X. “Stop normalising the illegal occupation by bending to its diktats. Respect the ICJ deliberation: force Israel to end the occupation. Time for justice is NOW.”
Israel has NO authority to block anyone from entering the Palestinian territory it illegally occupies.
Stop normalising the illegal occupation by bending to its diktats.
Respect the ICJ deliberation: force Israel to end the occupation.
Time for justice is NOW. https://t.co/T7tmIk2XuI
— Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) February 2, 2026
