Doctors Without Borders Suspends Gaza Operations Amid Armed Threats

On January 20th, medical staff at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis felt an unusual tension in the air. Masked armed men were roaming the hospital corridors, intimidating patients and making arbitrary arrests—a scene that would force one of the world's most respected medical charities to make an impossible choice.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) announced it has suspended non-essential operations at the Gaza hospital due to "serious security threats" posed by "armed men, some masked" inside the building. The Geneva-based medical charity cited concerns about "the management of the structure, the safeguarding of its neutrality, and security breaches."

When Hospitals Become Battlegrounds

The principle is clear: hospitals must remain neutral civilian spaces during conflict. MSF emphasized that "hospitals must remain neutral, civilian spaces, free from military presence or activity to ensure the safe and impartial delivery of medical care." But reality on the ground tells a different story.

MSF teams reported "a pattern of unacceptable acts, including the presence of armed men, intimidation, arbitrary arrests of patients, and a recent situation of suspicion of movement of weapons." While the organization couldn't identify the armed men's affiliation, their concerns were heightened by Israel's previous deliberate attacks on health facilities.

The suspension means MSF will continue critical services like inpatient and surgical departments but will end support for pediatrics and maternity wards, including the neonatal intensive care unit. Zaher al-Waheidi, head of Gaza's Health Ministry records department, warned that hundreds of patients are admitted to maternity and burn wards daily, making MSF's withdrawal "significantly impactful."

Double Pressure from Multiple Fronts

MSF faces threats from more than just armed groups. Israel recently ordered the charity and dozens of other international organizations to halt operations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank unless they comply with new rules, including sharing staff details.

Two weeks ago, MSF refused to submit a staff list to Israel after failing to receive safety assurances—a reasonable concern given Israel's systematic targeting of healthcare workers. The country currently holds 95 Palestinian doctors and medical workers captive, including 80 from Gaza.

Gaza's Interior Ministry acknowledged the problem, stating it's "committed to preventing any armed presence inside hospitals" and would take legal action against violators. It suggested that armed members of certain families recently entered hospitals but didn't identify those involved.

Ceasefire in Name Only

The irony is stark: this is happening during what's supposed to be a "ceasefire." Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas slammed Israel for violating the US-brokered truce, during which Israel has killed nearly 600 Palestinians since October 10th.

On Saturday alone, Israel's military said it "eliminated" an unidentified person in northern Gaza for allegedly crossing the "yellow line"—a demarcation that divides Gaza into areas under different levels of Israeli military control.

Speaking at an African Union summit in Ethiopia, Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa called on Israel to remove all "obstacles" to implementing phase two of the truce deal, including allowing a technocratic committee to oversee Gaza's daily governance.

The Bigger Picture

This incident reflects a broader erosion of medical neutrality worldwide. From Ukraine to Syria to Yemen, healthcare facilities increasingly find themselves caught in the crossfire—literally and figuratively. The Geneva Conventions' protections for medical facilities seem increasingly irrelevant when all parties to conflicts view hospitals as legitimate targets or strategic assets.

Since October 2023, Israel's war on Gaza has killed more than 72,000 Palestinians and wounded 171,000. MSF operates six hospitals, two field hospitals, and eight primary health centers and clinics in the territory—infrastructure that becomes more crucial as Gaza's health system continues to collapse.