Palestine: MSF teams respond to “ruthless attacks” by Israeli forces in Gaza
MSF condemns attacks, calls for ceasefire and humanitarian access
In the early hours of March 18, renewed attacks on parts of Gaza. According to the Ministry of Health, hundreds of people have been killed.
Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is horrified by the attacks launched by Israel on March 18 on the people of Gaza, shattering the nearly two-month-old ceasefire. Out of the hundreds killed, according to the Ministry of Health, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) received 75 dead on arrival and scores of wounded in just three of the facilities we support.
Our staff were completely taken by surprise and found themselves once again having to deal with influxes of mass casualties, many of whom were children.
In line with the tactics the Israeli authorities have applied since October 2023, they have once again chosen to collectively punish the people of Gaza – with the explicit approval of their closest ally, the United States – striking with an intensity not seen since the early stages of the war. For over 15 months, before the ceasefire, people in Gaza were indiscriminately killed, mutilated, wounded and displaced.
Israeli forces undertaking these latest ruthless attacks and evacuation orders make us fear a new phase of military operations in Gaza is about to begin. Palestinians in Gaza will simply not be able to withstand this, neither physically nor mentally. Their hopes of recovering at least part of their previous lives are being shattered.
Since the ceasefire came into effect on Jan 19., people have been struggling to restore the basics of their day-to-day lives after a drawn-out, devastating military campaign which has annihilated the very fabric of society in Gaza. Israel has once again cut access to humanitarian aid and basic goods.
MSF calls for the ceasefire to be immediately restored and for Israel to not restart its campaign of destruction and the nightmarish, massive bombing on the people of Gaza. MSF also calls for the blockade to be lifted and for people to regain unrestricted access to basic supplies and aid. Injured people and patients requiring urgent medical care should be allowed to seek care outside of Gaza, provided their right to a safe and dignified return is granted.
