The office had been clearly identified and registered with the Israeli military authorities. Since the day was a holiday due to the celebration of Eid, no staff members from the organization were inside at the time of the attack, and the entire Médecins du Monde team is safe and sound.
However, initial reports indicate that at least eight people were killed by the bombing. All were on the top floor of the building, which was directly hit by the projectile.
Médecins du Monde had previously informed the Israeli army of the presence of its office in this building, which is officially declared “deconflicted,” meaning it is protected from Israeli military attacks under humanitarian coordination agreements. However, as has occurred in previous Israeli attacks, the team received no prior warning that would have allowed the building to be evacuated or protective measures to be taken for any occupants.
After the attack, the Coordination and Liaison Administration (CLA), responsible for authorizing and coordinating the movements of humanitarian personnel in the Gaza Strip, provided no explanation despite being contacted by Médecins du Monde.
The building is located in Deir El Balah, an area that houses numerous NGO offices and had, until now, remained relatively spared from bombings and destruction zones in Gaza. This area is also home to populations displaced from the northern Gaza Strip and the Khan Younis region, underscoring the humanitarian need for a Médecins du Monde office in this location.
This attack constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law, which protects both the civilian population and humanitarian organizations operating in conflict zones.