Doctors Without Borders urges protection of Al-Awda Hospital amid Gaza siege

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - Doctors Without Borders (MSF) on Thursday called for the protection of Al-Awda Hospital in northern Gaza, saying it is being forced to close after a four-day siege by Israeli forces.

In a statement on X, the medical charity said the facility was surrounded by tanks on May 19, and staff and patients were forced to take cover under tables and beds as bullets and shelling smashed windows.

“Al-Awda is a lifeline for people in northern Gaza. The hospital MUST be able to continue providing care to patients: we continue to call for its protection, and that of all health facilities, patients and medical staff,” the MSF said.

Israel has continued its military offensive on the Gaza Strip after a cross-border incursion by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023.

Since then, it has killed more than 35,000 people in the blockaded enclave and wounded many more besides causing internal displacement, destroying more than half of the territory's infrastructure, and created conditions of famine. It accuses Hamas of using hospitals for military purposes and has raided several medical facilities.