Gaza Strip: Doctors Without Borders Suspends Operations at Hospital Due to Armed Presence

(Patria) - The international NGO Doctors Without Borders announced yesterday that it is suspending part of its operations at one of the largest hospitals still functioning in the Gaza Strip because patients and staff reported seeing armed, masked individuals inside the hospital.

Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis is one of the few remaining, treating hundreds of patients and war-wounded, and based on last year's ceasefire agreement, it was also a center for the care of Palestinians released by Israel in exchange for Israeli hostages held by Palestinian Hamas.

Doctors Without Borders stated that all their non-emergency medical operations at Nasser Hospital have been suspended due to the "endangerment of the safety of teams and patients." Doctors Without Borders teams have also reported intimidation and arbitrary arrest of patients.

During the war, Israel has repeatedly attacked hospitals, including Nasser Hospital, accusing Hamas of operating in or around them. Hamas security personnel have also often been seen inside hospitals, blocking access to certain areas of the facilities.

While Hamas remains the dominant force in areas not under Israeli control, including Nasser Hospital, other armed groups have spread throughout Gaza during the war, including those supported by the Israeli army in the part of the Gaza Strip under Israeli control.

Nasser Hospital staff stated that in recent months there have been attacks by masked armed individuals and activists, despite the presence of police.

Doctors Without Borders states they are unable to identify who the armed individuals are affiliated with, adding that they have expressed their concerns to the "competent" authorities, emphasizing that hospitals must remain neutral, civilian spaces.

They also stated that their concerns have been amplified by previous and deliberate Israeli attacks on health facilities during the war.

Some Israeli hostages, later released from Gaza, also confirmed that they spent some time in that hospital during their captivity.

The Ministry of Interior, managed by Hamas, which oversees the police forces in Gaza, announced yesterday that police would be deployed to secure hospitals and rid them of the presence of armed individuals.

It was stated that legal measures would be taken against violators and that stricter measures are being implemented to ensure patient safety.

Although international law grants hospitals special protection during war, they can lose it if fighters use them to hide or store weapons, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Aid groups and human rights organizations say Israel has decimated Gaza's health system, forcing most hospitals to close.

During the war, Israeli forces raided many hospitals and detained hundreds of staff members.