Gaza: Israeli occupation authorities have decided to terminate the activities of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in the Gaza Strip, informing the organization that it must cease its humanitarian operations and leave the Strip by February 28. This move threatens to deprive hundreds of thousands of Palestinians of essential medical services amidst the near-total collapse of the healthcare system.
According to Qatar News Agency, the MSF considers the decision part of a broader campaign of harassment and disinformation targeting aid organizations operating in Gaza and the West Bank, aimed at restricting their movement and diminishing their ability to provide life-saving services.
The organization warned that preventing it from continuing its work will deprive approximately half a million Palestinians of healthcare and clean water at a time when the Strip is suffering from a severe shortage of medicines, medical supplies, and specialized personnel.
The MSF organization denied the Israeli accusations of non-cooperation, asserting that it had attempted for months to open channels of dialogue to renew its registration and expressed its willingness to provide limited information under clear guarantees that would protect its staff from any security risks.
This development comes amid a continued Israeli escalation against humanitarian organizations operating in Gaza over the past two years. The occupation authorities have imposed severe restrictions on the entry of aid, deliberately delayed permits for international staff, and prevented the entry of medical equipment.
The occupation authorities previously took similar measures against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), including suspending its operations in several areas and accusing its staff without providing documented evidence, which led to a reduction in its services to millions of refugees.
Since 2024, the occupation authorities have also intensified their policy of extensive security vetting of humanitarian workers, linking the granting of permits to the submission of detailed personal data. This practice has been rejected by international organizations as a violation of the principles of neutrality and independence.