Doctors Without Borders Scales Back Operations at Gaza Hospital Amid Security Concerns

Doctors Without Borders Halts Non-Essential Operations at Gaza Hospital Over Security Concerns

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the international humanitarian organization known as Doctors Without Borders, has suspended its non-critical medical operations at Gaza’s Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, citing serious security concerns about the facility’s management and a troubling pattern of incidents within the hospital compound.

The decision, which took effect on January 20, has only recently come to broader public attention. The announcement appears on MSF’s frequently asked questions page, which was last updated on February 11, according to the organization’s website.

In its statement, MSF detailed alarming reports from staff and patients about the presence of armed and sometimes masked individuals within the hospital grounds. The organization also cited incidents of intimidation, arbitrary arrests of patients, and suspected movement of weapons throughout the facility.

“While none of these incidents occurred in parts of the hospital compound where MSF works, they pose serious security threats to our teams and patients,” the organization stated on its website. “MSF formally expressed its strong concern to relevant authorities and emphasized the incompatibility of such violations with our medical mission.”

The humanitarian group emphasized the critical importance of hospital neutrality in conflict zones, stating: “Hospitals must remain neutral, civilian spaces, free from military presence or activity, to ensure the safe and impartial delivery of medical care.” MSF called on all armed groups, specifically mentioning both Hamas and Israeli forces, to respect medical facilities and ensure civilian protection.

The situation at Nasser Hospital reflects the broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where medical infrastructure has been severely strained by the ongoing conflict. The hospital has been a vital treatment center for wounded Palestinians and those suffering from illness in southern Gaza, an area that has seen intense military operations.

Nasser Hospital officials strongly rejected MSF’s allegations in a statement issued Saturday, calling them “false, unsubstantiated, and misleading.” Hospital administrators denied the presence of weapons or armed groups inside the facility.

“These allegations are factually incorrect, irresponsible, and pose a serious risk to a protected civilian medical facility,” the hospital statement read. Officials acknowledged that under Gaza’s “extreme and prolonged state of emergency,” there have been “isolated unlawful actions by uncontrolled individuals and groups,” including attempts by some to carry weapons into the facility.

The hospital explained that a civilian police presence had been arranged specifically to safeguard patients, staff, and infrastructure. Hospital officials called on MSF to withdraw its claims and reaffirm its commitment to medical neutrality.

Adding to the controversy, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement Sunday on social media platform X, claiming it possesses intelligence indicating that Hamas is using Nasser Hospital as a headquarters and military post. This allegation aligns with longstanding Israeli claims that Hamas embeds its operations within civilian facilities throughout Gaza.

“For over two years, the IDF and the defense establishment has warned about the cynical use by terrorist organizations in Gaza of hospitals and humanitarian shelters as human shields to conceal terrorist activity,” the IDF statement asserted.

Hamas has consistently denied using hospitals or other civilian facilities for military purposes, maintaining that such allegations are designed to justify attacks on critical civilian infrastructure.

The situation highlights the complex challenges faced by humanitarian organizations operating in conflict zones, where principles of medical neutrality are increasingly difficult to maintain. For the civilians of Gaza, the suspension of non-critical operations at a major medical facility represents yet another obstacle to accessing essential healthcare in a region already facing acute medical shortages.

MSF continues to provide emergency and critical care at the facility despite the suspension of other services, reflecting the organization’s commitment to providing humanitarian assistance even under the most challenging circumstances.