Euro-Med Shuts Gaza Office After Israeli Campaign Over Alleged Hamas Ties

Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, a Geneva-based organization that has frequently accused Israel of human rights violations in Gaza, announced Tuesday that it is shutting down its Gaza office after nearly 15 years of operations. The group said the move came after what it described as an Israeli campaign targeting the organization and its staff.

The closure marks the latest development in a growing confrontation between Euro-Med and Israeli authorities, who in recent weeks have intensified scrutiny of the organization and its founder, Ramy Abdu, over allegations of ties to Hamas-linked networks.

In a statement announcing the decision, Euro-Med said the closure was the result of mounting pressure and security concerns. The organization insisted that its activities would continue despite the move.

“The closure of Euro-Med Monitor’s Gaza office does not mean a suspension of its work,” the organization said.

Euro-Med accused Israel of carrying out a campaign aimed at undermining its operations. According to the group, Israeli actions included public accusations, pressure on staff members and efforts to damage the organization's reputation.

“The Israeli campaign aimed to target Euro-Med Monitor’s management and staff through both individual and collective smear campaigns,” the organization said.

The Gaza closure follows a broader series of measures announced by Euro-Med in recent weeks. In May, the organization said it was suspending operations at its central Geneva office, reducing staff and closing or scaling back activities in several locations while shifting more work to remote and field-based operations.

The developments came shortly after Israel's Diaspora Affairs Ministry released a report alleging that Euro-Med plays a central role in anti-Israel legal, media and advocacy campaigns around the world. The report argued that the organization presents itself as an independent human rights group while maintaining connections to individuals and networks linked to Hamas.

Israeli authorities subsequently barred 40 activists affiliated with Euro-Med from entering the country. Those reportedly affected included founder and chairman Ramy Abdu and board chairman Richard Falk.

Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli defended the move, saying: “The days when a humanitarian guise could be exploited to promote terrorism are over.”

Much of the Israeli scrutiny has centered on Abdu himself. Israeli officials and watchdog groups have pointed to what they describe as past involvement with Hamas-affiliated organizations and networks. NGO Monitor has cited Israeli government documents and previous enforcement actions that it says link Abdu to organizations associated with Hamas.

Abdu and Euro-Med have repeatedly rejected the allegations, describing them as politically motivated attempts to silence criticism of Israel's conduct in Gaza.

The dispute has also drawn attention because of Euro-Med's prominence in international reporting on the Gaza war. The organization has frequently supplied casualty figures, witness testimonies and allegations of misconduct that have been cited by foreign media outlets, international organizations and advocacy groups.

While the organization says it will continue operating despite the shutdown, the announcement ends nearly 15 years of continuous physical presence in Gaza and comes as the battle over the group's credibility continues to intensify.