Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), commonly known as Doctors Without Borders, has announced the complete cessation of its operations within Gaza City, citing an unbearable escalation of the Israeli offensive in the region. The decision leaves thousands of civilians with even more limited access to crucial medical care amidst a deepening humanitarian crisis.
Gaza City, a densely populated urban area, has been at the epicenter of ongoing conflict, which has severely damaged infrastructure, including hospitals and medical facilities. Humanitarian organizations like MSF have been struggling for months to provide essential health services, often under precarious conditions, facing critical shortages of supplies, fuel, and safe access.
The medical charity stated that the intensity of recent military operations has rendered the environment too dangerous for its staff and patients. Persistent shelling, ground incursions, and the widespread breakdown of basic civic order have made it impossible to guarantee the safety of their personnel or the continuity of their medical programs.
“Our primary concern is always the safety of our patients and staff, and the ability to provide impartial medical care,” stated Dr. Elena Petrova, MSF Head of Mission for Palestine. “Regrettably, the current operational environment in Gaza City has deteriorated to a point where these fundamental principles can no longer be upheld. We cannot ask our teams to work in conditions where their lives are constantly at risk, and where our facilities are not respected as neutral spaces.”
The withdrawal of MSF, a key provider of emergency care, surgery, and mental health support, is expected to exacerbate an already dire medical situation. Local health authorities have warned that existing hospitals, many already overwhelmed and under-resourced, will struggle further to cope with the influx of casualties and routine medical needs.
“This is a devastating blow for our community,” said Jamal Abu-Hadid, a resident of Gaza City whose family had relied on MSF services. “MSF was a lifeline for so many, providing not just medical treatment but also a sense of hope. Now, with them gone, where will people go? We are facing a catastrophe within a catastrophe.”
The closure underscores the severe challenges faced by humanitarian aid organizations attempting to operate in active conflict zones and highlights renewed calls from international bodies for greater protection of medical facilities and humanitarian workers under international law.
The charity expressed deep regret over the decision and reiterated calls for all parties to the conflict to respect humanitarian principles and ensure the protection of civilians and healthcare infrastructure. It remains unclear when, or if, MSF will be able to resume its full operations in Gaza City.
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