Israel to Revoke Licences of 37 Aid Groups in Gaza, West Bank, Sparks International Outcry

Israel has announced plans to revoke the licences of 37 humanitarian aid organisations operating in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from several Western governments and international humanitarian bodies.

The affected organisations include major international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) such as ActionAid, the International Rescue Committee, and the Norwegian Refugee Council, whose licences are set to be suspended from January 1, with their operations expected to wind down within 60 days.

According to Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, which oversees the registration of aid groups, the decision followed the organisations’ failure to comply with new registration requirements, including the submission of what it described as “complete and verifiable personal details” of staff members.

The announcement triggered condemnation from the foreign ministers of 10 countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Japan, Norway and Sweden, who described the new rules as “restrictive” and “unacceptable.” In a joint statement, they warned that shutting down INGO operations would have a severe impact on access to essential services, particularly healthcare, in Gaza.

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The ministers stressed that the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains catastrophic and urged the Israeli government to ensure aid organisations can operate in a sustained and predictable manner.

Israel, however, insisted that the move would not disrupt the flow of humanitarian assistance. The Ministry of Diaspora Affairs said aid continues to reach Gaza through approved and vetted channels, including United Nations agencies, bilateral partners and selected humanitarian organisations.

The ministry argued that the licence revocations were necessary to prevent the infiltration of terrorist operatives into humanitarian structures, adding that fewer than 15% of aid organisations were found to be in violation of the new regulatory framework.

Israel’s military coordination body, Cogat, also claimed that the suspended organisations did not deliver aid to Gaza during the current ceasefire, and that their combined contribution previously accounted for about 1% of total aid volumes.

The new framework allows for licence denial on grounds including denying Israel’s existence, denying the Holocaust or the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, supporting armed struggle against Israel, promoting delegitimisation campaigns, or calling for a boycott of Israel.

In contrast, the Humanitarian Country Team of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which represents UN agencies and over 200 local and international organisations, warned that the registration system “fundamentally jeopardises” humanitarian operations in Gaza and the West Bank. The group said the criteria were vague, arbitrary and politicised, making compliance difficult without breaching international humanitarian principles.

The forum noted that INGOs currently support most of Gaza’s field hospitals, primary healthcare centres, emergency shelters, water and sanitation services, and nutrition centres for malnourished children.

Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, Amichai Chikli, defended the policy, stating: “Humanitarian assistance is welcome — the exploitation of humanitarian frameworks for terrorism is not.”

Other organisations facing suspension include CARE, Medico International, and Medical Aid for Palestinians.

Israel to Revoke Licences of 37 Aid Groups in Gaza, West Bank, Sparks International Outcry

BBC

Zelenskyy Rejects Russia’s Claim of Drone Attack on Putin’s Residence, Warns of Escalation

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Russia’s claim that Ukraine launched a drone attack on a residence belonging to Russian President Vladimir Putin, describing the allegation as a fabrication that could be used to justify further military escalation.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov alleged that 91 long-range drones were launched overnight on Sunday at Putin’s state residence in the Novgorod region, northwest Russia. According to Moscow, all the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were intercepted by Russian air defences, with no casualties or damage recorded. The Kremlin did not clarify whether Putin was present at the location at the time.

Responding on Monday, Zelenskyy described the accusation as “typical Russian lies,” warning that it could serve as a pretext for intensified attacks on Ukraine and a hardening of Russia’s stance in ongoing peace negotiations.

“Everyone must be vigilant now. Absolutely everyone. A strike may be launched on the capital,” Zelenskyy told journalists, calling Russia’s statement a “threat” and accusing Moscow of seeking excuses to prolong the war.

In a post on X, the Ukrainian leader urged the international community not to remain silent, warning that Russia must not be allowed to sabotage efforts toward a lasting ceasefire.

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Lavrov, in a statement published on Telegram, said Moscow would reconsider its negotiating position, citing what he termed the “final degeneration” of Ukraine’s leadership. However, he said Russia would not withdraw from talks with the United States, according to Russian news agency Tass.

On Tuesday, the Kremlin said it would not provide evidence to support its claim, with a spokesperson confirming that Russia would now “toughen” its negotiating stance.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha rejected the allegation, insisting that Russia had failed to present any credible proof.

“Almost a day has passed, and Russia still hasn’t provided any plausible evidence to its accusations of Ukraine’s alleged attack on Putin’s residence. And they won’t — because there is none,” Sybiha wrote on X.

The controversy follows US-Ukraine talks in Florida on Sunday, where US President Donald Trump and Zelenskyy discussed a revised peace plan. Zelenskyy later told Fox News that there was a “possibility to end the war in 2026,” stressing that Ukraine would require continued US support.

He disclosed that Washington had proposed 15-year security guarantees, with Trump saying negotiations were “95 per cent complete.” Zelenskyy identified territorial disputes, the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, and unresolved issues in the Donbas region as major sticking points.

The White House confirmed that Trump held what it described as a “positive call” with Putin following the US-Ukraine talks. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Putin raised the alleged drone incident during the conversation, claiming it occurred shortly after what Washington viewed as a successful diplomatic engagement.

Trump later told reporters he was informed of the incident by Putin and was “very angry,” though he acknowledged that it was also possible the attack had not occurred.

Zelenskyy Rejects Russia’s Claim of Drone Attack on Putin’s Residence, Warns of Escalation

China Stages Record Military Exercises Around Taiwan Amid US Arms Deal

China on Tuesday deployed warships, fighter jets and artillery units in its largest-ever military exercises around Taiwan, simulating a full blockade of the self-governed island amid rising regional tensions.

The drills, codenamed “Justice Mission 2025,” involved China’s army, navy, air force and rocket force, and featured live-fire exercises, simulated strikes on land and sea targets, and coordinated operations aimed at sealing off Taiwan’s ports and surrounding airspace.

China’s Eastern Theater Command, which oversees operations in the Taiwan Strait, said the exercises were intended to deter what it described as “separatist forces” in Taiwan and “external interference.” Beijing’s foreign ministry characterised the drills as a “severe punishment” for pro-independence elements and warned outside powers against “using Taiwan to contain China.”

State media released footage of Chinese warships, combat aircraft and artillery units mobilising across multiple zones encircling Taiwan. China’s Maritime Safety Administration designated a record seven live-fire zones, covering a wider area and operating closer to Taiwan than in previous drills.

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The exercises come days after the United States approved an $11.1bn arms package for Taiwan, prompting strong protests from Beijing and sanctions against US defence companies. Analysts say the timing signals China’s intent to send a firm warning to both Taipei and Washington.

Taiwan’s presidential office condemned the drills, describing them as a threat to regional stability and international norms. The island’s defence ministry said it detected dozens of Chinese military aircraft and vessels operating around Taiwan and placed its forces on high alert, deploying aircraft, naval units and missile systems.

“Our armed forces are prepared for the worst and must consider every possible scenario,” a senior Taiwanese defence official said, warning that live-fire drills in the Taiwan Strait pose risks to neighbouring countries as well as international shipping and aviation.

Taiwan’s aviation authority said flights were being rerouted after China declared temporary danger zones, while the coast guard deployed large patrol vessels to monitor Chinese ships near Taiwan’s waters.

China has accused Taiwan President Lai Ching-te of pursuing independence, a claim he denies. Lai maintains that Taiwan is already a sovereign state and says his administration seeks to preserve the status quo while strengthening the island’s defences. Polls consistently show that most Taiwanese favour maintaining the current situation.

Since 2022, China has intensified military pressure on Taiwan, staging repeated large-scale drills in response to what it views as provocative actions, including closer US–Taiwan security ties. The latest manoeuvres mark the sixth major exercise since then and the first under Eastern Theater Command commander Yang Zhibin.

Chinese media said the drills were designed to demonstrate Beijing’s ability to cut Taiwan off from external support, with emphasis on blocking deep-water ports and key supply routes, while showcasing advanced systems such as drones and robotic platforms.

China Stages Record Military Exercises Around Taiwan Amid US Arms Deal