Daijiworld Media Network – Khan Younis
Khan Younis, Feb 16: One of Gaza’s last functioning major medical centres has criticised the decision by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, to suspend noncritical operations, saying the presence of armed personnel at the facility was part of a civilian police deployment for security.
The dispute between MSF and Nasser Hospital surfaced publicly on Sunday, as Palestinian officials said the death toll since the October ceasefire surpassed 600. Hospitals reported that at least 11 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire in the past 24 hours.
In a statement issued Saturday, MSF said it had suspended all non-emergency medical activities at Nasser Hospital due to security breaches posing “serious” risks to its staff and patients. The organisation cited an increased presence of armed men in parts of the hospital compound following the US-brokered ceasefire.
Nasser Hospital, located in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, rejected the claims, stating that the armed presence was limited to civilian police deployed to safeguard patients and staff. The hospital described MSF’s allegations as “factually incorrect” and warned that such statements could endanger a protected civilian medical facility.
Security concerns and counterclaims
MSF said its teams had observed “a pattern of unacceptable acts”, including intimidation, arbitrary arrests of patients and suspected movement of weapons within the compound. Though the suspension reportedly took place in January, it was only publicly announced recently.
Hospital officials maintained that the presence of armed civilian police was necessary, citing repeated attacks in recent months by masked gunmen and militias targeting the facility.
The area around Nasser Hospital remains under the influence of Hamas, which controls parts of Gaza not under Israeli military authority. At the same time, other armed factions have emerged during the conflict, including groups reportedly backed by Israeli forces in areas under Israeli control.
The Israel Defense Forces has alleged that Nasser Hospital has been used as a command centre by senior Hamas officials, though it has not publicly provided evidence. The military described MSF’s suspension of activities as “an important decision, but one that comes too late.”
Hospital under strain
Nasser Hospital has been one of the few large facilities in Gaza continuing to treat hundreds of patients daily, including war-wounded individuals. It also served as a processing point for Palestinian prisoners released by Israel in exchange for Israeli hostages under the current ceasefire arrangement.
Throughout the war, which began after the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, hospitals across Gaza — including Nasser — have come under repeated Israeli strikes. Israel has accused Hamas of operating in or around medical facilities, while Hamas security personnel have been seen at hospitals, at times restricting access to certain areas.
Some Israeli hostages released from Gaza have said they were held in hospitals during their captivity, including at Nasser Hospital.
The rare public disagreement between a major international medical charity and one of Gaza’s key hospitals underscores the fragile security environment in the enclave, even amid a tenuous ceasefire.