Doctors Without Borders, known as MSF, has announced the suspension of all non-critical medical operations at Nasser Hospital in Gaza due to escalating security concerns. This decision comes after reports of armed individuals seen within the hospital compound, which MSF described as posing “serious security threats to our teams and patients.” The suspension was initially enacted in January 2023, but MSF’s recent commentary on its website, updated on February 11, 2023, marks the first public acknowledgment of the situation.
Security Concerns Prompt Operational Changes
MSF’s statement highlighted a troubling increase in incidents involving armed men in and around Nasser Hospital since the US-brokered ceasefire in October 2022. The presence of these individuals has been reported in areas outside MSF’s operational zones. “MSF teams have reported a pattern of unacceptable acts including the presence of armed men, intimidation, arbitrary arrests of patients, and a recent situation of suspicion of movement of weapons,” the organization stated.
The ongoing conflict has severely impacted Gaza’s health infrastructure. Israeli airstrikes have frequently targeted hospitals, including Nasser, under accusations of Hamas operating within them. Armed personnel affiliated with Hamas have also been observed impeding access to certain areas of medical facilities, complicating the already dire situation.
Reports from Nasser Hospital staff indicate that masked armed men and various militias have launched repeated attacks on the facility, despite the presence of local police. MSF refrained from identifying the affiliations of these armed groups but expressed serious concerns regarding the neutrality of medical spaces amid ongoing violence.
Continued Support for Critical Services
Despite the suspension of non-critical operations, MSF remains committed to providing critical services at Nasser Hospital. This includes support for inpatient and surgical departments specifically focusing on patients with traumatic injuries and burns. However, the organization will cease its support for paediatrics and maternity wards, including the neonatal intensive care unit.
MSF’s operations in Gaza have faced increasing challenges. Israel has imposed restrictions on numerous aid groups, including MSF, citing non-compliance with new registration requirements. The organization warns that these restrictions could have devastating effects on its ability to deliver essential medical services in a region where it operates six hospitals, two field hospitals, and eight primary health centres. MSF also plays a crucial role in two of Gaza’s five stabilization centres, which assist children suffering from severe malnutrition.
The Hamas-led interior ministry in Gaza has stated that it will deploy police forces to hospitals to eliminate the presence of armed individuals and will pursue legal action against violators. This announcement follows testimonies from released hostages who reported spending time in hospitals during their captivity.
As the conflict continues, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, with many hospitals forced to shut down or operate under precarious conditions. Aid organizations are calling for urgent interventions to restore safety and neutrality in medical facilities, which are essential for the health and well-being of the civilian population.
