The international humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders announced the decision to evacuate a hospital it manages in the region. The organization stated that “no one and no place in Gaza is safe” and called for a “sustained ceasefire” to prevent further deaths and injuries.
This Monday, the Israeli Armed Forces announced the start of a new and less intense phase of the military offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
“The war has changed phase,” the military spokesman said in an interview with The New York Times. “But the transition will be unceremonious. “These are not dramatic announcements,” he added.
Departure of MSF professionals and family members
Professionals and family members associated with the organization have been advised to leave the region. “It is with a heavy conscience that we have to evacuate while patients, professionals and many people seeking safety remain on the hospital premises,” said Carolina Lopez, spokeswoman for Doctors Without Borders.
Cancellation of the WHO aid operation in the northern Gaza Strip
In a similar development, the World Health Organization (WHO) was forced to cancel a mission to deliver medical supplies to the northern Gaza Strip due to a lack of security guarantees. According to the global health agency, this was the fourth cancellation since December 26.
“It has been 12 days since we were last able to reach the northern Gaza Strip,” the WHO regional office said in a social media post.
“Devastating effects” of the Israeli offensive
The Israeli offensive, launched after a deadly Hamas attack on October 7, has led to the displacement of most of Gaza's 2.3 million residents. Many houses and civilian infrastructure were reduced to rubble after the fighting. In addition, the attacks have led to acute shortages of food, water and medicine, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.