Doctors Without Borders denounces deliberate attacks on its convoys and clinics in the Gaza Strip, accusing Israel of these incidents.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) workers in the Gaza Strip, in front of Al Shifa hospital, after the recent attacks.
2 Dec. (Europa Press) - Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has pointed to the Israeli forces as responsible for a deliberate attack on one of its convoys, which happened on November 18 in Gaza City, resulting in two fatalities.
The NGO, after analyzing testimonies of its personnel, indicated that "all elements point to the responsibility of the Israeli army in this attack." The convoy, consisting of five vehicles, was attacked on Al Wahida Street, near the intersection with Said Al A'as, next to the MSF office. These vehicles were intended to evacuate patients and both Israel and the Hamas militias had been informed of their intentions.
Two of the MSF vehicles were intentionally hit, resulting in the death of a volunteer nurse from the team and injuring a relative of another staff member, who later died. One survivor, whose identity has not been released for security reasons, described seeing "tanks and snipers in buildings" as he approached the scene. He recounted the terror experienced when being pointed at by weapons, followed by shots that resulted in the death of his comrade Alaa from a critical wound to the head.
MSF has strongly condemned the attack and has requested a "formal explanation" from the Israeli authorities, in addition to calling for an independent investigation to clarify the facts and responsibilities.
In a separate incident, MSF also accused Israel of destroying five of its vehicles and causing serious damage to one of its clinics in Gaza City. This attack, which occurred two days after the first, was allegedly carried out with "an Israeli bulldozer and a heavy military vehicle." According to MSF, during this event the clinic ended up "engulfed in flames", with staff and relatives inside. Four MSF vehicles were set on fire and a fifth was destroyed, apparently by a heavy vehicle or tank. Both the vehicles and the clinic were clearly identified with MSF logos.
These incidents have intensified the call for a review and clarification of the facts, reiterating the need to protect humanitarian operations in conflict zones.