CAIRO (AP) — One of the remaining large hospitals in Gaza has criticized Doctors Without Borders for their decision to cease operations due to concerns over armed individuals. The hospital claimed on Sunday that they had enlisted civilian police for security purposes.
This public dispute between two prominent healthcare organizations occurred as the death toll among Palestinians exceeded 600 since the current ceasefire began. In just the last 24 hours, Israeli fire reportedly killed at least 11 Palestinians, according to hospital sources.
Doctors Without Borders, also known as MSF, announced on Saturday that they halted all non-critical medical operations at Nasser Hospital due to security risks posed by armed men increasingly seen in the area since the U.S.-brokered ceasefire was established in October.
Nasser Hospital responded on Sunday, asserting that the presence of armed individuals was actually a result of civilian police efforts to safeguard patients and staff. They stated that MSF’s claims were “factually incorrect,” “irresponsible,” and posed a significant risk to a civilian medical facility.
One of Gaza’s Few Functional Hospitals
Every day, Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis treats hundreds of patients, including many wounded from the ongoing conflicts. The facility has also served as a receiving point for Palestinian prisoners exchanged in the current ceasefire agreement.
MSF mentioned observing “a pattern of unacceptable acts,” including the presence of armed men, intimidation, and arbitrary arrests of patients during their time in the hospital. This suspension of operations was initiated in January but only communicated recently.
Continued Violence in Gaza
At least 11 Palestinians died due to Israeli fire in various parts of Gaza on Sunday, according to hospital officials. This includes a group of five young men killed in eastern Khan Younis, and additional casualties reported from drone strikes in northern Gaza.
While the U.S.-brokered ceasefire, commencing on October 10, 2023, aimed to halt years of conflict, sporadic Israeli military actions have persisted, resulting in 602 Palestinian deaths as recorded by health officials.
Restive Conditions in Israel
In Israel, two female soldiers were rescued from a violent protest in Bnei Brak, where they faced hostility from an ultra-Orthodox crowd. The community has expressed anger over proposed laws that could require them to serve in the military.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the assaults on the soldiers, attributing the violence to an “extremist minority.” The conflict over military enlistment continues to highlight a deep divide in Israeli society, especially amid ongoing hostilities in Gaza.
