Doctors Without Borders (MSF) confirmed on Friday it will withhold the personal details of its staff working in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territory from Israeli authorities. This refusal stems from the organization's inability to secure sufficient assurances concerning the safety of its personnel and the intended use of the sensitive information, according to reports.
This stance reverses a previous position where MSF had indicated a willingness to share staff names under strict conditions, a stance that generated significant concern among aid workers and rights advocates. MSF stated that after engaging with Israeli officials, it concluded that compliance with the demands under the current environment posed unacceptable risks to its workers.
Israel mandated last year that international aid organizations submit detailed operational and personnel data, citing new security and transparency standards. Humanitarian groups widely criticized this requirement, arguing it endangers aid workers in a conflict zone where over 1,700 health workers have reportedly been killed since October 2023.
Regulations issued by Israel’s Ministry for Diaspora Affairs require submissions including passport copies, CVs, and details of staff family members. The rules also grant Israel the authority to bar organizations accused of inciting racism or supporting armed struggle against the state.
MSF detailed that the concrete assurances it sought included retaining full authority over human resources, ensuring data was used only for stated administrative purposes, and demanding a cessation of communications that defame the organization. The organization stated these parameters were defined in consultation with its Palestinian colleagues, prioritizing their security.
Humanitarian organizations express apprehension that the requested data could be utilized to target aid personnel across Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. Israel has previously leveled unproven accusations against MSF, alleging the employment of individuals linked to Palestinian armed groups.
MSF warned that an expulsion from Gaza and the West Bank would severely impact critical medical services, as the health system in Gaza remains nearly non-functional amid widespread destruction. In 2025, MSF provided approximately 800,000 consultations and supported one in five hospital beds in the region.
The medical aid group affirmed its readiness for continued dialogue with Israeli authorities to ensure the continuation of essential, life-saving medical care for populations facing dire humanitarian conditions.
