Doctors Without Borders condemns attack on its convoy fleeing to southern Gaza

By Anadolu staff

ISTANBUL (AA) - International medical charity, Doctors Without Borders (MSF), on Saturday condemned what it said was a "deliberate attack" on a convoy of its staff leaving Gaza City toward the south of the enclave.

MSF said it arranged for the movement of the convoy carrying 137 staff and their family members, but when the convoy reached the point where the Israeli army had constructed a newly erected checkpoint, the area was crowded with Palestinians seeking to flee.

But after hours of waiting, the Israeli army did not allow the convoy to cross toward the south and shots were fired to push it back to Gaza City, it said in a statement.

When the convoy was on its way back, it was attacked. "Two of the MSF cars were deliberately hit, killing one MSF staff’s family member and injuring another."

The statement, however, did not identify exactly who fired on the convoy.

"We are calling for an immediate ceasefire, which is the only way for corridors to be implemented in order to safely evacuate trapped civilians," said MSF.

On Wednesday, the Israeli army raided the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, which was a shelter for thousands of Palestinians fleeing deadly airstrikes, before being forcibly evacuated by the Israeli army.

Israel has killed more than 12,300 Palestinians in its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7 surprise offensive by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas. The official Israeli death toll, meanwhile, stands at about 1,200.

Israel has rejected growing calls for a cease-fire until the release of all hostages held by Hamas.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar