Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Netanyahu: If Lebanese Army takes steps to disarm Hezbollah, Israel will engage in reciprocal measures, including phased reduction of Israeli military presence in Lebanon
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Photojournalist Houssam Al-Masri martyred, reporters Hatem Omar, Mohammad Ashraf Salameh injured in Israeli strike on Nasser Medical Complex.
Israeli media: Intense US efforts are being made to resolve differences, such as the issue of the Israeli presence on Mount Hermon and in southern Syria
Israeli media: The security agreement means amending the disengagement agreement, which will also address the Druze issue
Israeli media: Attempts to reach a security agreement between 'Israel' and Syria were among the topics discussed at the Paris meeting
Israeli media: Sheikh Muwaffaq Tarif rejected a US proposal to join the recent tripartite meeting between Tom Barrack, al-Shaibani, and Dermer
Saba News Agency: Two martyred, five injured in a preliminary toll of the Israeli aggression on the Yemeni Oil Company station on Al-Sitteen Street in Sanaa
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: We observed a state of confusion among the enemy's aircraft squadron after Yemeni air defenses intercepted the attack
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: The Yemeni air defense forces succeeded in neutralizing a squadron of enemy aircraft and prevented airstrikes on some governorates
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: Our air defenses and missile forces forced a formation of enemy aircraft to flee the airspace

'Israel' freezes aid workers visas despite dire situation in Gaza

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 29 Feb 2024 09:35
  • 3 Shares
4 Min Read

A coalition of aid groups has raised concerns, noting that numerous foreign aid workers, including organization leaders, have been forced to depart occupied Palestine.

  • x
  • A UNDP-provided tent camp for forcibly displaced Palestinians by the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip is seen in Khan Younis, on Oct. 19, 2023. (AP)
    A UNDP-provided tent camp for forcibly displaced Palestinians by the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip is seen in Khan Younis, on Oct. 19, 2023. (AP)

"Israel" has ceased granting visas to international staff from humanitarian organizations operating in occupied Palestine, hindering the delivery of essential supplies, including food, to Gaza.

A coalition of aid groups has raised concerns, noting that numerous foreign aid workers, including organization leaders, have been forced to depart occupied Palestine. Some are now overstaying their visas, facing the risk of deportation, as they strive to maintain their humanitarian efforts.
 
Emergency response teams, equipped with specialized expertise to address the numerous challenges of operating in Gaza, are notably impacted, according to Faris Arouri, the director of the Association of International Development Agencies (AIDA). AIDA is an umbrella organization that represents various aid groups active in the occupied West Bank and besieged Gaza.

Emergency response teams, mobilized swiftly from regional headquarters to address unforeseen crises, face hindrances due to the visa suspension. Aid organizations struggle to bring in experts to occupied al-Quds, the primary coordination hub for aid to Gaza, as the Israeli Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs, responsible for visa issuance, halted the provision of recommendation letters needed for visa processing after October 7.

The Israeli Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs reportedly extended all humanitarian visas automatically until February 8, 2024. However, upon the expiration of this extension, the Ministry informed humanitarian organizations that it had ceased issuing recommendation letters, and discussions regarding the visa process were allegedly underway among various government authorities.

“There have always been ups and downs, especially since the second intifada [from 2000 to 2005]. There were phases where there were some restrictions or where access was harder. But never on this scale,” Arouri said.

The Israeli prohibition on visas for international personnel is exacerbating an already dire condition added to restrictions preventing Palestinian staff from the occupied West Bank from entering al-Quds or Gaza. This results in teams being dispersed geographically during a significant crisis. The limited flow of aid reaching Gaza is insufficient to alleviate severe shortages of food, clean water, and essential medical supplies. Medical professionals report that children are dying of malnutrition due to the ongoing Israeli genocide and total blockade.

Related News

Gaza education system near total collapse, UN reports

At least 15 martyrs in Nasser Hospital massacre in Gaza

“We have 15 country directors without visas, who have had to leave, or are preparing to leave,” Arouri said, adding that while teams attempted to conduct remote work, the division of essential personnel was
“strangling” operations. “You need them on the ground, with access to Gaza.”

'Humanitarian visas must be renewed now'

A survey of approximately one-third of AIDA members, encompassing 35 organizations, indicated that more than 150 positions were impacted, according to Arouri. The visas for 57 personnel had already lapsed, with over 40 more set to expire in the upcoming weeks. Humanitarian organizations were also unable to hire an additional 50 international staff required to enhance operations in Gaza.

Unless "Israel" resumes visa issuance, all foreign humanitarian workers will need to depart by early autumn when the last visas issued in 2023 expire. Britain's shadow foreign secretary, David Lammy, raised the matter in parliament, urging the UK government to exert pressure on "Israel" for corrective action.

“Humanitarian visas must be renewed now,” he said. “With no humanitarian visa renewals since the outbreak of this war, [Israel is] leaving humanitarian workers facing deportation when the Palestinian people need them most.”

A visa crackdown is affecting UN aid workers, limiting their access to "Israel" and Gaza to short-term stays. Most international staff, including those in Gaza, have been restricted to one or two-month visas, according to Philippe Lazzarini, the chief of UNRWA.

The logistical challenges resulting from these restrictions are outlined in a letter to the president of the UN General Assembly. Additionally, a ban on foreign humanitarian workers entering Gaza from "Israel" via the "Kerem Shalom" border crossing is impeding relief efforts.

UNRWA has not received permits from Israeli occupation authorities to deliver aid to northern Gaza for over a month, jeopardizing its operations in the region. The visa constraints have also led to precarious situations, such as a failed airdrop of food supplies into the sea off Gaza earlier in the week, as mentioned by a senior international aid worker. However, the limited capacity of airdrops poses challenges in supplying substantial amounts of food amid an imminent famine.

Read next: Malnutrition, hunger kills 7 infants in Gaza due to Israeli war, siege
 

  • Gaza Strip
  • war on Gaza
  • Operation Al-Aqsa Flood
  • Visas
  • Gaza aid
  • Gaza genocide
  • Israeli occupation
  • humanitarian workers
  • Gaza
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, executive director of the defense division of the Israeli National Cyber Directorate, undated (Social media)

Israeli-born US prosecutor drops Israeli officer child sex crime

  • Politics
  • 19 Aug 2025
Displaced Palestinians walk through a makeshift camp along the beach in Gaza City, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 (AP)

Hamas, other factions accept Egypt-Qatar ceasefire proposal: Exclusive

  • Politics
  • 18 Aug 2025
Palestine will not be liberated by UN reports, but by pursuing a different strategic horizon: one that does not beg for recognition. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Economy of Genocide: Albanese's report accuses, but doesn't dismantle system

  • Opinion
  • 18 Aug 2025
Israeli soldiers stand on the top of armoured vehicles parked on an area near the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 (AP)

Palestinian fighters target Israeli soldiers, vehicles in Gaza

  • Politics
  • 21 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Prime minister's office in al-Quds, Occupied Palestine, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu deliberately derailing truce with Gaza occupation: Hamas

Irish President Michael Higgins arrives to deliver his speech during a 42nd World Food Day celebration at FAO headquarters in Rome, on Oct. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Politics

Irish president renews call for UN military intervention in Gaza

US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the US Embassy in Aukar, northern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, July 21, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US envoy, Netanyahu discuss restraining attacks on Lebanon, withdrawal

Smoke billows following Israeli airstrikes in multiple areas in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ansar Allah vow sustained Gaza support despite Israeli strikes

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS