![A view of a damaged building, belonged to medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF), following the Israeli attack in al-Mawasi, Khan Yunis, Gaza on February 21, 2024 [Ashraf Amra/Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/d2.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/AA-20240221-33772201-33772200-ISRAEL_ATTACKS_DOCTORS_WITHOUT_BORDERS_SHELTER_IN_GAZA-scaled-e1708549409833.webp?fit=920%2C613&ssl=1)
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has rejected Israeli allegations that its staff have links to armed groups describing the claims as unsubstantiated and politically timed to coincide with obstacles placed on the renewal of its registration.
In a statement issued on Thursday, MSF said the accusations are being made publicly without evidence and alongside the introduction of new and unclear registration requirements that threaten its ability to continue operating.
The organisation denied reports that it had failed to comply with registration rules, saying that since July 2025 it has fully engaged with Israeli authorities and provided most of the requested information. It said it continues to pursue dialogue in order to maintain its medical operations and support Gaza’s devastated health system.
MSF warned that such actions place medical personnel at risk and could deprive hundreds of thousands of Palestinians of life-saving healthcare at a time when the health system in the Gaza Strip has largely collapsed.
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The organisation said it is still awaiting the renewal of its registration to operate in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank until 31 December 2025, under new Israeli requirements that include submitting lists of employees’ names. It added that despite months of communication, it has received no clear criteria or guarantees.
MSF said that on 30 December Israeli authorities publicly accused it of having ties to armed groups, an allegation it categorically denied.
Israel confirmed on Thursday that it intends to enforce a ban on the activities of 37 major international humanitarian organisations operating in Gaza, citing their alleged failure to provide lists of Palestinian employees under new legislation.
The so-called Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism said organisations that did not meet what it described as required security and transparency standards would have their licences suspended, a move aid groups warn will further worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.