MSF in Gaza: “We are horrified by the attacks launched by Israel on the people of Gaza”

19 March 2025

In the early hours of 18 March, Israeli forces attacked multiple areas in the Gaza Strip, after almost two-months of an already fragile ceasefire. According to the Ministry of Health, hundreds of people have been killed. Médecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is responding to influxes of patients in southern and central Gaza. 

In Nasser hospital, we received 55 dead and 113 injured. In Deir Al Balah, the MSF field hospital received 10 injured, and Al Aqsa Hospital received 20 dead and 68 injured in the emergency department. In MSF Attar clinic in Al-Mawasi, southern Gaza, our team received 26 injured, three in critical condition, who were later referred to Nasser hospital. The clinic was also struck with shrapnel. 

The below quote is attributed to Claire Magone, General Director of Médecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders (MSF):

“We are horrified by the attacks launched by Israel today on the people of Gaza, shattering the nearly two-month-old ceasefire. Out of the hundreds killed, according to the Ministry of Health, 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 that 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 that 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 19 January, 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.”