One of Gaza’s few fully functioning hospitals, Nasser Hospital, has publicly condemned the decision by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) to suspend most of its medical services at the facility, citing security concerns. The dispute comes amid ongoing violence in the Gaza Strip, where the death toll since the ceasefire reached more than 600.
MSF announced on Saturday that it had temporarily suspended all nonessential medical operations at Nasser Hospital. The organization cited repeated security breaches, including reports of armed men inside hospital grounds, which it said posed “serious” threats to both staff and patients. The suspension, which began in January, was only recently made public.
In response, Nasser Hospital officials rejected MSF’s claims, emphasizing that the armed presence was limited to civilian police deployed to protect patients and hospital personnel. The hospital described MSF’s allegations as “factually incorrect and irresponsible,” warning that such statements endanger a protected medical facility.
Hospital Strains Amid Gaza Conflict
Nasser Hospital, located in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, has become a critical hub for treating war casualties and civilians. It has also handled Palestinian prisoners released by Israel under the current U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement. Hundreds of patients and war-wounded individuals pass through its doors daily, highlighting its central role in Gaza’s strained healthcare system.
The ongoing conflict has allowed multiple armed groups to operate in the region. While Hamas maintains authority in most areas not controlled by Israel, smaller factions, some supported by Israeli forces, have emerged. Israel’s military has accused Nasser Hospital of serving as a military post for senior Hamas figures, a claim the hospital denies.
Recent Fatalities in Gaza
The past 24 hours saw 11 Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes, according to local hospitals. Nasser Hospital reported that five men in their 20s died in eastern Khan Younis near the Yellow Line, the boundary separating Israeli-controlled areas from Gaza. Officials said airstrikes hit individuals attempting to secure the area from potential attacks.
In northern Gaza, a drone strike killed five people near the Falluja area of the Jabaliya refugee camp, while a separate strike in Gaza City claimed another life. Israeli authorities stated these operations were responses to ceasefire violations and militant activity near the border.
Since the ceasefire took effect on October 10, Israeli forces have carried out frequent airstrikes and patrols along military-held zones. Gaza health authorities report 602 Palestinians have been killed during this period, though exact figures separating civilians from militants remain disputed.
Tensions in Israel’s Ultra-Orthodox Communities
Meanwhile, unrest in Israel’s ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak escalated when two female soldiers were attacked during a welfare visit. Thousands of protesters chased the soldiers, prompting police intervention and arrests. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the assault, attributing it to a “small extremist minority” within the community, which opposes military enlistment due to religious obligations.