Médecins Sans Frontières has announced it has been forced to suspend its operations in Gaza due to the rapid deterioration of the security situation.

In a press release issued by the Luxembourgish branch of the international humanitarian medical organisation on Saturday 27 September 2025, it was reported that airstrikes and tanks advancing to within less than one kilometre of MSF healthcare facilities in Gaza City had created an unacceptable level of risk for MSF personnel, compelling the organisation to suspend its essential medical operations there.

Jacob Granger, MSF Emergency Coordinator in Gaza, said: “We have been left with no choice but to stop our activities as our clinics are encircled by Israeli forces. This is the last thing we wanted, as the needs in Gaza City are enormous, with the most vulnerable people - infants in neo-natal care, those with severe injuries and life-threatening illnesses - unable to move and in grave danger.”

MSF noted that while large numbers of people have fled south due to evacuation orders, there are still hundreds of thousands in Gaza City, who are unable to leave and have no other option but to stay.

The humanitarian organisation highlighted that partially functional hospitals across the Gaza Strip are overwhelmed due to severe shortages of staff, supplies and fuel, while patients face enormous obstacles reaching care, often arriving late and in critical condition.

Although MSF has been forced to suspend its activities in Gaza City, it emphasised that it aims to continue supporting key services in Ministry of Health facilities, including Al Helou and Al Shifa hospitals, while they continue to function. 

MSF called for “an immediate halt to the violence and concrete measures at the necessary scale to protect civilians” and said: “Israeli authorities must immediately guarantee unhindered access and security for humanitarian organizations operating in Gaza City and acceptable conditions for the safe and sustained delivery of medical care and humanitarian aid - conditions that are clearly not in place today.”