Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis has condemned the decision by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to suspend noncritical medical operations, citing security breaches. The hospital stated on Sunday that it had installed civilian police to ensure safety, rejecting MSF's allegations of armed men posing a threat.
MSF announced on Saturday that it had suspended all noncritical operations at the hospital due to what it described as 'serious' security breaches, including the presence of armed men, intimidation, and arbitrary arrests. The suspension occurred in January but was only recently disclosed.
Nasser Hospital, one of the few functioning medical facilities in Gaza, said the increase in armed individuals was due to a civilian police presence aimed at protecting patients and staff. It called MSF's claims 'factually incorrect, irresponsible, and a serious risk to a protected civilian medical facility.'
At least 10 Palestinians were killed on Sunday in clashes with Israeli forces in Gaza, according to hospital authorities. Five men in their 20s died in an Israeli strike near the Yellow Line, which separates Israeli-controlled areas from the rest of Gaza. Another five were killed in a drone strike in Jabaliya refugee camp.
Hamas remains the dominant force in areas not under Israeli control, but other armed groups have emerged during the war. Israel has repeatedly struck hospitals, accusing Hamas of operating within them, a charge the group denies.
