What's happened
Aid organisations in Gaza warn that funding cuts have reduced capacity to provide legal aid, psychosocial care, and humanitarian assistance amid the war's impact on institutions. Wefaq has continued services with smaller resources after USAID funding was cut in early 2025, while courts and legal files have been disrupted by the conflict.
What's behind the headline?
Context and dynamics
- Gaza’s legal framework has been severely disrupted as courts and archives have been destroyed or displaced, hindering women’s access to divorces, child support, and guardianship measures.
- USAID funding has been cut, pressuring NGOs to scale services with reduced resources; donor decisions are shaping frontline capacity.
- Women’s organisations report increased violence and legal gaps as formal mechanisms erode, pushing cases toward displacement camps and informal mediation.
Implications for residents
- Access to rights and justice is shrinking, particularly for widows and those unable to navigate a collapsed court system.
- The international response is evolving, with NGOs trying to fill service gaps but facing funding volatility.
What to watch
- The extent to which new funding partnerships emerge will determine service continuity and legal relief for women.
- Any policy or security developments affecting humanitarian corridors will further shape aid delivery.
How we got here
The war in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack and Israel’s subsequent response, has devastated legal and social support structures. Wefaq, a women-led organisation, has supported about 50,000 people this year, but funding cuts have narrowed its reach. Sharia courts and civil institutions have suffered from destruction and displacement, complicating access to divorce, custody, and inheritance.
Our analysis
The Independent reports on Wefaq’s post-cut funding trajectory and the broader erosion of Gaza’s legal infrastructure; Al Jazeera documents other regional education reforms and public perception, highlighting how state-led policies intersect with humanitarian concerns.
Go deeper
- What new funding sources are stepping in to replace USAID support?
- How are local women-led groups adapting to reduced resources?
- What impact will court closures have on children and families in Gaza?