Israel’s Foreign Ministry has presented evidence showing that employees of the international aid organization “Doctors Without Borders” (Médecins Sans Frontières) in the Gaza Strip simultaneously engaged in activities for Palestinian terrorist organizations.

According to Israeli authorities, one of those employees was also a senior member of Palestinian Islamic Jihad and responsible for the advancement of rocket capabilities. Another is said to have served as a sniper for Hamas in the context of “terrorist combat operations.” The Israeli government emphasized that humanitarian aid must never be used as a cover for terror and that strict security vetting and transparency are essential, especially for NGO personnel.

Since January 1, 2026, Israel has been implementing new regulations for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that require detailed information on personnel, funding, and activities. According to the government, these checks have led to the conclusion that several NGO employees can be linked to terror activities, resulting in licenses being suspended or revoked.

Fadi Al-Wadiya was employed by @MSF while serving as a senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist, responsible for advancing the group’s rocket capabilities.

He is not alone.

Nasser Hamdi Abdelatif Al-Shalfouh was also employed by @MSF and identified as a Hamas terrorist… pic.twitter.com/friC0aOCvX

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) January 2, 2026

Allegations against NGO personnel and consequences

The first of the two Doctors Without Borders employees with terror ties was named as Fadi al-Wadiya, who was also a leading activist in Palestinian Islamic Jihad and worked for the group on the development of rockets. The second, Nasser Hamdi Abdelatif al-Shalfouh, allegedly fought as a sniper for Hamas while employed by “Doctors Without Borders,” according to an official statement from the Foreign Ministry.

In addition, NGO Monitor, an organization that monitors non-governmental organizations, lists four more individuals who are said to have had similar connections to militant groups. These include people who, according to the reports, were members of terror organizations or involved in planning attacks.

The new legal framework requires international NGOs operating in Israel and the Palestinian-controlled territories to fully disclose all employees, including personal data, so that security authorities can conduct appropriate checks. Groups that fail to meet these standards or raise security concerns lose their operating license.

“Humanitarian aid is welcome—the exploitation of humanitarian structures for terror is not,” said Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli, emphasizing the priority of security. Critics, however, see the measures as a harsh intervention that could massively restrict the work of international aid organizations.

Israel to Revoke Licenses of International Organizations in Gaza Linked to Hamas
Beginning January 1, 2026.

Israel will not allow humanitarian frameworks to be exploited for terrorism. The message is unequivocal: humanitarian aid is welcome; terror under the guise of… pic.twitter.com/n7iufv0r1n

— עמיחי שיקלי – Amichai Chikli (@AmichaiChikli) December 31, 2025

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