Onsite gunmen force MSF to stop work at Gaza’s Nasser Hospital

Medical charity’s announcement comes on the heels of Israel’s recent ban on its operations in Gaza.Published On 14 Feb 2026Doctors Without Borders, known by its French initials MSF, has suspended some operations at a Nasser Hospital in Gaza after its staff and patients saw “armed men, some masked” posing “serious security threats” inside the building.The Geneva-based medical charity reported on its website that non-essential work at the hospital in Khan Younis was halted on January 20 due to concerns with the “management of the structure, the safeguarding of its neutrality, and security breaches”.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Over 100 artists for Palestine back UN’s Albanese after resignation callslist 2 of 4Israel’s withholding of PA revenues deprive Palestinians of proper learninglist 3 of 4Palestine urges ‘powerful partners’ to stop Israel’s West Bank ‘annexation’list 4 of 4How Israel destroyed Gaza’s health system ‘deliberately and methodically’end of list“MSF teams have reported a pattern of unacceptable acts, including the presence of armed men, intimidation, arbitrary arrests of patients, and a recent situation of suspicion of movement of weapons”, said the site’s “frequently asked questions” section, last updated on February 11.“Hospitals must remain neutral, civilian spaces, free from military presence or activity to ensure the safe and impartial delivery of medical care”, it said, adding that the charity expressed concern to the “relevant” authorities.Under the suspension, MSF will continue supporting critical services, such as inpatient and surgical departments, but will end support to the paediatrics and maternity wards, including the neonatal intensive care unit, and will no longer offer a range of outpatient consultations and other services.The organisation was not able to indicate the armed men’s affiliation, but said its concerns were heightened by previous, deliberate Israeli attacks on health facilities.Israel has decimated the enclave’s health infrastructure and continues to hold captive 95 Palestinian doctors and medical workers, including 80 from Gaza.