Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has paused all non-urgent medical work at Gaza’s Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, citing growing concerns over the presence of masked gunmen inside the facility. The organization said the move follows repeated incidents that threaten the safety of patients and staff.
In an updated statement released earlier this month, MSF described “a pattern of unacceptable acts,” including armed men entering the hospital, intimidation of medical personnel, arbitrary arrests of patients, and suspected weapon movements within the grounds. While the decision to halt some operations was taken in January, it was only detailed publicly in a February 11 update to MSF’s website.
The organization said it has seen more cases of armed individuals in hospitals since the ceasefire brokered by the United States came into effect in October 2025. Although the men were spotted in areas outside MSF’s operational zones, the group noted the incidents still created serious security risks. MSF said it has raised the issue with local authorities, emphasizing that “hospitals must remain civilian and neutral spaces.”
Nasser Hospital is one of the few major medical facilities still functioning in Gaza, tending to hundreds of patients every day. It has also been a key reception point for Palestinians released under the Israel–Hamas prisoner exchange agreement tied to the ceasefire.
Following MSF’s announcement, Gaza’s Hamas-run Interior Ministry said it would deploy police to secure medical centers and prevent unauthorized armed activity. The ministry added that it plans to enforce new regulations to protect medical staff and patients.
Hospitals in Gaza, including Nasser, have repeatedly come under Israeli fire during the nearly two-year conflict. Israel accuses Hamas of embedding forces and weapons in or near such facilities, while Hamas denies the claims.
MSF said it will continue to provide critical services in emergency, trauma, and burn units but will suspend support for maternity, pediatric, and neonatal care, as well as outpatient mental health and burn-screening services.
Zaher al-Waheidi, head of records at Gaza’s Health Ministry, told the Associated Press that many families rely heavily on the hospital’s maternity and burn wards. “Hundreds of patients visit these departments daily,” he said, describing the suspension as another blow to an already overburdened health system.
The development comes amid growing tension between Israel and aid organizations. Starting March 2026, Israel is enforcing new registration rules that will bar MSF and several international NGOs from operating in Gaza unless they obtain special permits.
