Israel is to revoke the licenses of 37 aid groups working in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, saying they failed to meet requirements under new registration rules.
Well-known international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) such as ActionAid, the International Rescue Committee and the Norwegian Refugee Council are among those that will have their licenses suspended on the 1st of January, with their operations to end within 60 days.
Israel said the groups, among other things, had failed to hand over complete personal details of their staff.
The move was heavily criticised by foreign ministers from 10 countries including the UK, who said the new rules were unrestrictive and unacceptable.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the UK, France, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland said the forced closure of INGO operations would have a severe impact on access to essential services, including healthcare.
Edited by Favour Owonibi.