MSF condemns another attack on medical facilities in Gaza and alert: the health system is on the brink of collapse, with no means to meet the injured
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) vehemently condemns Israel’s attack to Nasser Hospital in Khan Youis, southern Gaza, Palestine, which is the largest hospital in operation in the Gaza Strip, where MSF teams work. Last Sunday (23), Israeli forces attacked the hospital’s surgical department of hospitalization, killing two people, according to the Ministry of Health. MSF teams confirmed that there were several people injured, one of which was admitted to their trauma unit, and that serious damage were caused to the building.
This attack demonstrates a total disrespect for the protection of medical facilities, in danger and medical staff, as well as the provision of health care. While Israeli forces intensify their operations in Gaza once again, MSF calls for respect and protection to health facilities, patients and medical staff in the territory, where the health system has been almost completely destroyed.
“Strikes like these are horrible for the team and patients,” says Claire Nicolet, MSF’s emergency head in Gaza. “We cannot return to repeated attacks on health facilities when the health system in Gaza is already hanging by a wire, and no supply has been going on for weeks.”
While Gaza’s health system collapses, and the medical needs of the population shoot, medical professionals are once again forced to fear for their lives while taking care. At Nasser Hospital, two MSF colleagues, who worked in different departments, reported panic among patients during the attack.
“The distance between us and the explosion was so close that we could have been hit too,” said an MSF nurse who works at Nasser Hospital. “Our colleagues, medical staff, patients and their caregivers were all terrified.”
During the Israel War in Gaza, MSF witnessed relentless attacks on health facilities, a complete disrespect to patients, medical professionals and international humanitarian law. The result was the systematic dismantling of the Gaza health system. No hospital in the Gaza Strip is currently fully functional, and only 21 of the 36 Enclave hospitals partially operate, according to the World Health Organization.
As one of the last main hospitals in southern Gaza, Nasser provides care for people with serious burns, trauma injuries, newborns and pregnant women. Since his return in mid -May 2024, MSF teams have supported the hospital’s emergency, pediatric and maternity departments, as well as managing a unit of burning and trauma. In February 2024, the teams were forced to flee after the hospital was bombarded.
In addition, Nasser, like other health facilities in Gaza, faces supply challenges, including hygiene items, medicines and surgical materials. Israeli authorities have kept the siege to the track for over 20 days. With the flow of patients due to bombing, MSF stocks are running out faster than expected, and blocking prevents the replacement of vital items such as antibiotics, painkillers and anesthetic.
In an incident separated on March 24, MSF teams at the Al-Mawasi clinic were forced to close the emergency room and evacuate due to nearby shootings and bombing. Health facilities, patients and medical staff should be protected.
The MSF again calls for the immediate restoration of the ceasefire and the resumption of essential aid entry and basic supplies, of which the population of Gaza depends desperately.
With information from MSF*
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2025/03/26/medicos-sem-fronteiras-reage-apos-hospital-em-gaza-ser-bombardeado/
