Gaza Herald – Doctors Without Borders (MSF) announced a partial suspension of its medical operations at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, effective January 20, citing serious security concerns. The organization said armed personnel were present inside the facility, creating direct risks for patients and healthcare staff and undermining the neutrality of the hospital.
MSF reported that since the Gaza ceasefire in October, its teams documented multiple incidents of intimidation and armed presence within areas of the hospital not used for medical care. Concerns also included suspected weapons transfers, which MSF described as a “major security threat.” The organization continued to provide limited emergency and post-operative care for critical patients, but non-urgent medical services were paused until conditions could ensure staff and patient safety.
The development marked the first public statement by an international humanitarian organization in Gaza explicitly warning of armed groups inside a hospital. Local authorities in Gaza confirmed their commitment to preventing armed personnel from entering medical facilities and pledged legal action against violators, though they did not disclose the identities or affiliations of the armed individuals involved.
MSF emphasized the importance of keeping hospitals civilian and neutral, in line with international humanitarian law, to guarantee safe and impartial medical care. The organization also stated that it had raised its concerns with the relevant authorities, without naming the recipients.
The suspension comes amid growing restrictions imposed by Israel on international NGOs operating in Gaza and the West Bank, including demands for detailed staff information. MSF refused to provide such lists, citing insufficient guarantees for staff safety and the ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by the genocide.
Observers noted that the armed presence within Nasser Medical Complex represents a significant escalation in the risks faced by humanitarian organizations in Gaza, threatening both medical neutrality and patient safety.
The partial halt of non-critical operations highlights the broader challenges facing humanitarian access in Gaza, where ongoing war, security threats, and political pressures severely impede life-saving aid and healthcare delivery.
