MSF states Israeli order to evacuate northern Gaza ‘outrageous’
Israel’s 24-hour notice that people in Northern Gaza must leave their land, homes and hospitals is outrageous – this represents an attack on medical care and on humanity. We have consistently seen dehumanising language and this violence is a manifestation of that. We are talking about more than a million human beings. ‘Unprecedented’ doesn’t even cover the medical humanitarian impact of this. Gaza is being flattened, thousands of people are dying, this must stop now. We condemn Israel’s demand in the strongest possible terms. – Meinie Nicolai, MSF General Director
MSF confirms that its international teams made of around twenty people based in the north of Gaza have moved to the south of the Strip during the night.
As for our Palestinian staff, it is currently difficult to verify the situation of all our 300 colleagues. We know that some of them are currently trying to leave for the south with their families. MSF is trying to help them find shelter. Others, notably medical staff, will remain in the north to try to treat the sick and wounded.
The evacuation order given by the Israeli army to the 1.1 million people in the north of the Gaza Strip is an outrageous and irresponsible ultimatum.
Moreover, regrouping such a large number of people in just a few square kilometers will only exacerbate the preexisting humanitarian crisis.
As for the many civilians who will not be able to leave the northern Gaza Strip, we are extremely concerned about their fate once the Israeli ultimatum expires.
MSF officially requests the identification of safe zones unaffected by the conflict for populations unable to flee, including hospitals.
