JERUSALEM/ABU DHABI/CAIRO/GAZA -- Israel announced on Sunday it would bar the humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders from operating in the Gaza Strip after the group refused to hand over a list of its Palestinian staff.

In a statement, the Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs said it was "moving to terminate the activities" of the aid group in Gaza, citing its "failure" to submit lists of local employees, which Israel has demanded from international organizations operating in Gaza and the West Bank under regulations that came into force in early January.

Under the new registration requirements, the ministry said, Doctors Without Borders must "cease its operations and depart the Gaza Strip" by Feb. 28.

Minister for Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli repeated allegations that the group employs individuals "active in terrorist organizations," which the organization has rejected.

ALSO READ: US approves massive new arms sales to Israel, Saudi Arabia

The move followed an announcement by Doctors Without Borders on Friday that it would not comply with the staff list requirement. "This decision comes after many months of unsuccessful engagement with Israeli authorities and in the absence of assurances of the safety of our staff and the independent management of our operations," the group said in a post on social media platform X.

Doctors Without Borders, relying heavily on Palestinian staff, has been a key provider of emergency medical care in Gaza throughout the conflict, operating hospitals, clinics and mobile medical teams amid repeated Israeli military operations.

The dispute comes amid a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza following more than two years of Israeli bombardment and ground operations, which have devastated much of the enclave's infrastructure and crippled its health system. At least 71,769 people were killed by Israeli fire and 171,483 others were injured, Gaza-based health authorities said Saturday.  

8 Muslim states condemn Israel's repeated ceasefire violations

The foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Sunday strongly condemned Israel's repeated violations of the ceasefire in Gaza.

ALSO READ: Palestinian VP blames Israel for rising West Bank violence

"These actions risk escalating tensions and undermining efforts aimed at consolidating calm and restoring stability," the ministers warned in a joint statement, adding that full commitment to the second phase of the ceasefire is essential.

They urged all parties to fully uphold their responsibilities during this critical period, exercise maximum restraint to preserve the ceasefire, avoid any action that could undermine the ongoing process, and create conditions conducive to early recovery and reconstruction.

The ministers reiterated the importance of advancing a just and lasting peace grounded in the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and statehood, in accordance with international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

Earlier in the day, Ali Abdel Hamid Shaath, head of the Palestinian technocratic National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), called for full adherence to the ongoing ceasefire in the enclave.

"The NCAG is committed with partners to prevent further incidents and protect civilians. The path forward must be one of restraint, responsibility, and respect for civilian life," the NCAG chief said.

A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect on Oct 10, 2025 after two years of conflict, following mediation by Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye, and the United States.

Nearly 71,800 Palestinians have been killed and over 171,500 injured since the Israeli military campaign in Gaza began in October 2023, according to an update by Gaza's health authorities on Sunday.

READ MORE: Israel releases 9 Palestinian detainees following remains recovery

They added that 26 Palestinians were killed and 68 others injured over the past 24 hours, noting that a number of victims remain trapped under the rubble and on roads as rescue and civil defense teams have been unable to reach them.

'Technical issues' delay Gaza committee's entry via Rafah crossing

"Technical issues" are preventing members of Gaza's newly formed administrative committee from entering the strip through the Rafah crossing on Monday, a committee member said Sunday.

Aed Yaghi, a member of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, told Xinhua that the group remains in Cairo due to unspecified "technical problems and obstacles." He expressed hope that the 15-member body would be able to enter Gaza in the coming days.

Another committee member, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the group still lacks a headquarters and an operational budget. He added that no financial support has been received yet, though the committee expects to rent a facility in Gaza City soon.

Once they arrive, committee members plan to meet with Palestinian factions and government bodies to coordinate the handover of ministries and offices.

In a separate development, Palestinian security sources said 50 patients are expected to return to Gaza via Rafah on Monday, adding that procedures for those wishing to depart Gaza remain unclear.

The Rafah crossing partially reopened on Sunday on an experimental basis after being closed for more than 18 months.