Full Breakdown
Suspension of Medical Operations in Gaza City by Doctors Without Borders
9/29/2025, 2:22:15 AM
Escalating Attacks Prompt Suspension of Medical Services
Doctors Without Borders (MSF), officially known as Médecins Sans Frontières, has suspended all medical operations in Gaza City due to the increasing danger posed by the Israeli military's ground offensive. The organization announced this decision on Friday, citing that Israeli tanks and airstrikes have advanced to within approximately half a mile of its healthcare facilities. Jacob Granger, MSF's emergency coordinator in Gaza, stated, “We have been left with no choice but to stop our activities, as our clinics are encircled by Israeli forces.” This suspension comes amid a humanitarian crisis, with the needs in Gaza City described as enormous, particularly for vulnerable populations such as infants in neonatal care and those with severe injuries.
Impact on Healthcare Infrastructure
Since the onset of the conflict in October 2023, MSF has provided over 1.1 million medical consultations, including emergency care for malnutrition and trauma injuries. However, the ongoing military operations have severely damaged Gaza's healthcare infrastructure, with at least 38 hospitals reported as damaged and seven forced to close due to bombardment. Munir al-Bursh, the director general of Gaza’s Health Ministry, reported that at least 1,723 healthcare workers have been killed since the conflict began. The United Nations has noted that four hospitals have been rendered unusable in the north of Gaza, exacerbating the already dire medical situation.
Humanitarian Crisis and Evacuations
The Israeli military's offensive has led to mass displacement, with hundreds of thousands of people fleeing Gaza City following evacuation orders. However, many remain trapped, unable to leave due to the deteriorating security situation. MSF has warned that evacuation could be a "death sentence" for critically ill patients and newborns who require ongoing medical treatment. The organization emphasized that those who can leave face a difficult choice: stay in a war zone or abandon their homes and belongings for areas where humanitarian conditions are rapidly deteriorating.
Official Statements and Responses
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the World Health Organization, described the conditions in Gaza City as “disturbing and alarming,” calling for Israel to ensure safe access and protection for health workers and patients. He highlighted that attacks on health facilities are making it impossible to deliver lifesaving care. The Israeli military has claimed that Hamas uses hospitals for military purposes, a statement that Hamas denies. Under international law, hospitals are protected sites that should not be targeted.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
There are discrepancies regarding the extent of damage to healthcare facilities and the number of casualties among healthcare workers. While Gaza’s Health Ministry reports 1,723 healthcare worker deaths, other sources have not confirmed this figure. Additionally, the United Nations has indicated that the medical system in Gaza has been devastated, yet the Israeli military has not provided immediate comments on specific incidents involving hospitals.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The escalating attacks from Israeli forces have created an unacceptable level of risk for our staff, forcing us to suspend lifesaving medical activities,” — Jacob Granger, MSF Emergency Coordinator in Gaza
- “We have been left with no choice but to stop our activities, as our clinics are encircled by Israeli forces,” — Jacob Granger, MSF Emergency Coordinator in Gaza
- “Attacks on and around health facilities are making it impossible to deliver lifesaving care,” — Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization
The suspension of operations by Doctors Without Borders highlights the critical humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza City, where the ongoing conflict continues to threaten the lives of countless individuals in need of medical care.
