Humanitarian assessment: a catastrophe of alarming proportions
Since the start of the conflict in October 2023, the figures bear witness to an unprecedented human tragedy.
At least 66,000 Palestinians have lost their lives and 170,000 have been injured in the Gaza Strip. Nearly the entire Gazan population – 9 out of 10 people – have been forced to flee their homes, representing nearly 2 million internally displaced persons.
Civilians and medical facilities are the targets of systematic attacks, while access to humanitarian aid is gradually shrinking. Since the introduction of the food distribution system by Israeli centres on 27 May, at least 2,340 people seeking aid have been killed.
In August 2025, famine was officially confirmed in Gaza for the first time. Around 455 Palestinians have died from malnutrition, including 151 children. Meanwhile, Israeli military operations continue, aiming for total control of the city of Gaza.
Hunger used as a weapon of war
Médecins du Monde’s commitment in the face of adversity
Despite an extremely dangerous security context, the 150 Médecins du Monde staff based in Gaza continue to provide vital care to affected populations, even when their own safety is at risk.
Our healthcare facilities and offices have been subjected to multiple attacks, and our staff have been directly confronted with repeated violations of international humanitarian law.
Following forced evacuation orders covering the city of Gaza, we had to close our two primary health care centres and relocate our teams to the south. The volatility of the situation now forces us to reassess our decisions to open or close clinics almost daily.
Nevertheless, through a strategic redistribution of our resources, we have significantly increased the number of consultations in our operational centres. Our mental health and psychosocial support activities are also maintained through our local partners, Aisha and Juzoor.
We are deploying all available means to assist Palestinians in Gaza. Can the international community claim the same?
Médecins du Monde condemns the unacceptable destruction of one of its clinics
Beyond recognition: concrete actions to end the genocide
During the 80th United Nations General Assembly in September 2025, several countries officially recognised Palestine, including Canada, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Andorra, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Portugal.
While this symbolic recognition is important, it remains insufficient to halt the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe.
The events we have witnessed since October 2023 align with the findings of the UN inquiry commission’s report: a genocide is currently being perpetrated in Gaza.
Simple recognition of the Palestinian state will not be enough
Our urgent demands:
- Immediate ceasefire: unconditional halt to hostilities and forced displacements, with the establishment of a permanent truce
- Unrestricted humanitarian access: free delivery of aid throughout the Gaza Strip
- Right to self-determination: allow Palestinians to lead and take ownership of their own reconstruction plans, in accordance with their inalienable rights
As peace negotiations are underway, we strongly reaffirm that a lasting ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access cannot be used as bargaining chips. These measures are unconditional and urgent.
How much longer will the international community wait? How many more lives will have to be sacrificed before decisive action is taken?
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