Canadian-built Gaza water plant faces uncertainty as aid groups leave

A Canadian who helped assemble a water treatment plant in Gaza left after Doctors Without Borders and many international NGOs suspended operations following a new Israeli requirement for staff lists; a petition to Israel's Supreme Court was heard and the outcome is not yet public.

A Canadian project coordinator who helped assemble a water treatment plant in Gaza left the territory as Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and several international non-governmental organizations suspended operations. The move followed an Israeli requirement that NGOs submit lists of local and foreign staff; many organizations refused, citing concerns about staff safety and expiring visas. MSF and other groups have said they will try to rely on registered local staff to keep some programs running. Israeli authorities have pushed back, saying aid continues to flow and that staff lists are a security measure. Key developments: - Doctors Without Borders and 36 other international NGOs announced they will cease operations in the Gaza Strip after being asked to provide staff lists and with foreign staff visas expiring. - MSF said it plans to rely on registered local staff to try to continue services; a Canadian who helped build a water treatment plant left Gaza and expressed concern about who will manage those services. - The Israeli Defence Ministry unit COGAT said aid deliveries continue and that staff lists are intended as a security measure; 31 organizations filed a petition and a hearing at Israel's Supreme Court took place, with results not yet disclosed. Summary: The suspension of many international NGOs could affect the delivery of health and water services that those groups supported, and MSF says it will depend on local staff to maintain programs. The legal challenge to the visa and staff-list measures has been heard by Israel's Supreme Court and the outcome is undetermined at this time.