The European Union has warned that Israel’s plans to block international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) from operating in Gaza would severely hinder the delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance, amid an already catastrophic humanitarian situation in the enclave.

In a statement posted on X on Wednesday, EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib said that restricting the work of humanitarian organizations would directly impact civilians in need.

“Israel’s plans to block INGOs in Gaza means blocking life-saving aid,” Lahbib said.

The commissioner stressed that the European Union has made its position clear regarding Israel’s recently proposed NGO registration law, warning that “it cannot be implemented in its current form. All barriers to humanitarian access must be lifted.”

Lahbib also underlined that international humanitarian law leaves no ambiguity when it comes to the delivery of aid to civilian populations caught in conflict.

“IHL leaves no room for doubt: aid must reach those in need,” she said.

Restrictions on access, combined with ongoing hostilities and the destruction of infrastructure, have pushed Gaza’s population to the brink of famine and medical collapse.

Months after a ceasefire was announced, Gaza remains effectively sealed off, with crossings operating at a fraction of their capacity and key reconstruction materials still barred from entry. Temporary housing units and basic supplies needed to rebuild shattered neighborhoods have yet to reach the enclave, leaving much of the population trapped in displacement and uncertainty.

Palestinian authorities report that the violence has not ceased despite the truce, saying at least 414 people have been killed in Gaza since the agreement took effect — a toll that underscores the fragility of the ceasefire and the ongoing risks facing civilians.

According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, 70,942 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, including 18,592 children and nearly 12,400 women, while almost 11,000 people remain missing. The number of wounded has reached 171,195, overwhelming what remains of Gaza’s health system.