Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, has made the difficult decision to halt non-essential medical services at Gaza’s Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. This move, effective January 20, was prompted by pressing security concerns within the hospital premises.
According to MSF, the decision was driven by issues related to the hospital’s management and a troubling series of unacceptable incidents occurring within the facility. The organization cited reports from both staff and patients about the presence of armed and sometimes masked individuals, acts of intimidation, arbitrary arrests of patients, and the suspected transport of weapons on the hospital grounds.
While the decision to suspend operations had not been widely publicized at the time, the update was noted on the MSF’s frequently asked questions page, which was last revised on February 11. The lack of immediate public disclosure has left some uncertainty regarding when the information was first made available.
Photographic evidence from January 15, 2026, shows MSF posters and notices displayed on a door at Nasser Hospital, highlighting the ongoing struggles patients face in accessing medical care in Khan Younis. (Photo by Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu via Getty Images)
A Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) poster and other informational notices are seen on a door at Nasser Hospital as patients face difficulties accessing care in Khan Yunis, Gaza, on Jan. 15, 2026. (Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu via Getty Images)
In recent months, the international medical humanitarian aid group said staff and patients have reported the presence of armed and sometimes masked men, intimidation, arbitrary arrests of patients and the suspected movement of weapons on hospital grounds.
“While none of these incidents occurred in parts of the hospital compound where MSF works, they pose serious security threats to our teams and patients,” MSF wrote on its website.
“MSF formally expressed its strong concern to relevant authorities and emphasized the incompatibility of such violations with our medical mission. Hospitals must remain neutral, civilian spaces, free from military presence or activity, to ensure the safe and impartial delivery of medical care,” the group continued. “MSF calls on all armed groups, Hamas, and Israeli forces to respect medical facilities and ensure the protection of civilians.”
Palestinian children receive medical treatment at Nasser Hospital amid a rise in influenza and respiratory infections in Khan Yunis, Gaza, on Jan. 14, 2026. (Hani Alshaer/Anadolu via Getty Images)
In a statement issued Saturday, Nasser Hospital rejected what it called “false, unsubstantiated, and misleading allegations” by MSF regarding the presence of weapons or armed groups inside the facility.
“These allegations are factually incorrect, irresponsible, and pose a serious risk to a protected civilian medical facility. The Gaza Strip is under an extreme and prolonged state of emergency resulting from systematic attacks on civilian institutions,” it said. “Under these conditions, isolated unlawful actions by uncontrolled individuals and groups have occurred across society, including attempts by some to carry weapons.”
Hospital officials said a civilian police presence had been arranged to help safeguard patients, staff and infrastructure and called on MSF to retract its claims and reaffirm its commitment to medical neutrality.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Sunday on X that it has intelligence indicating Hamas is using Nasser Hospital as a headquarters and military post, reiterating long-standing allegations that the militant group embeds operations within civilian facilities in Gaza.
Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, Gaza, on Jan. 29, 2026. (Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“For over two years, the IDF and the defense establishment has warned about the cynical use by terrorist organizations in Gaza of hospitals and humanitarian shelters as human shields to conceal terrorist activity,” it wrote.
Hamas has previously denied using hospitals or other civilian facilities for military purposes.
