The non-governmental organization Médecins Sans Frontières MSF announced on Saturday the evacuation of its staff from Al-Aqsa Hospital in central Gaza. The move follows days of artillery clashes and an evacuation order reportedly issued by Israeli forces to areas around the hospital where MSF provides care.
According to MSF, the decision to relocate staff and their families was taken after persistent bombardments and the spread of evacuation leaflets in the neighborhoods surrounding Al Aqsa Hospital. The aim was to ensure the safety of those who work for the organization and depend on its emergency medical services, even as patients, hospital workers and others sought safety within the hospital facilities.
Carolina López, MSF’s emergency coordinator at the hospital, emphasized the gravity of the situation. She noted that the evacuation was unavoidable given the deteriorating security conditions and expressed regret that patients and hospital personnel remain in a site now deemed too dangerous. Some staff living nearby have found themselves unable to leave their homes because drones and sniper activity continually threaten the area.
MSF underscored that Israel has an obligation under international humanitarian law to protect patients and staff in the city’s only operating hospital in central Gaza, which serves the Deir al Balá area. The organization reiterated its commitment to safeguarding medical personnel and patients while continuing to advocate for safe access to care for all those in need.
A statement from MSF reported that a bullet struck a wall in the intensive care unit on Friday, and that drone attacks occurred within a short distance of the hospital in the days surrounding the incident. The group also shared through its X account that no place in Gaza could be considered safe, and it called for a permanent ceasefire to prevent further deaths and injuries among civilians and hospital workers alike.
Reports from Israeli authorities indicate a high toll from the conflict, with approximately 1,200 people reported killed and around 240 kidnapped following the initial attacks. Gaza authorities reported that more than 22,700 Palestinians have died in the conflict, including about 10,000 children, underscoring the scale of civilian suffering in the region.
MSF reaffirmed its dedication to continuing medical work in Gaza where possible, while prioritizing the safety of its staff and patients. The organization urged all parties to respect medical facilities and personnel, protect civilians, and facilitate humanitarian access to urgent medical care for those most in need. Attribution: MSF statements and reported updates from the Gaza context.