Doctors Without Borders urges EU leaders to do whatever they can to protect civilians in Gaza

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Doctors Without Borders (MSF) called on European leaders Wednesday to do whatever they can to protect Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, who are facing "unimaginable horror."

"We implore you to do whatever is in your power to protect the lives and dignity of Palestinians trapped in Gaza and prevent further abhorrent bloodshed," the international medical humanitarian organization said on X ahead of a European Union leaders meeting in Brussels.

Recalling that more than 18,000 people have been killed by Israeli attacks in the besieged enclave over 68 days, MSF said EU leaders can either continue to issue "vain calls" for the respect of international law and protection of civilians or exercise their position to convince Israel to stop the indiscriminate bombing of the Gaza Strip.

"The chance to do the right thing is in your hands. When the guns fall silent and the true scale of devastation is revealed, will the @EUCouncil and all European leaders be able to say they did all they could to stop the bloodshed?" it added.

Israel has bombarded the Gaza Strip for over two months, killing more than 18,600 Palestinians and leaving a trail of destruction.

In separate post, Doctors Without Borders said people are dying in the occupied West Bank because they can’t access hospitals due to an Israeli operation in Jenin.

"Yesterday and today, Israeli forces tear gassed (one) hospital in response to children throwing stones at armored cars. People are now being treated for tear gas inhalation, including a medical worker," it said.

It noted that a 13-year-old boy who was carried by his father to Khalil Suleiman Hospital as ambulances were blocked by Israeli armored cars died soon after.

"Today, after a patient was discharged from a hospital and an ambulance attempted to take her home, the ambulance was fired upon, and the same patient was re-admitted with a gunshot wound," it said, adding she is now undergoing surgery.

Tensions have been running high across the West Bank amid an Israeli military offensive on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.

At least 283 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire and more than 4,000 others detained since then, according to Palestinian figures.