Last night, Gaza residents received a warning from the Israeli army ordering them to evacuate the entire northern and central area of the Gaza Strip to the south before October 13, 2:00 PM (local time).
It is unreasonable, unrealistic and dangerous to think that 1.1 million people can be evacuated in less than 24 hours, especially as the relentless bombings in the targeted area, including in the south for the past five days, continue even after the evacuation order was issued, making it impossible.
“There is no longer any safe place in Gaza; electricity and supplies of fuel and food have been cut off. The situation in hospitals is catastrophic, and we fear they will no longer be able to admit new victims, who continue to arrive in large numbers. We are concerned for our teams, who, like the rest of the population, are exposed to the bombings by the Israeli army.
The bombings, the lack of medicines and resources make the humanitarian teams’ mission nearly impossible. We strongly call on France and the international community to urge Israel to do everything possible to protect civilians.” Jean-François Corty, Vice-President of Médecins du Monde
As long as bombings continue in the north and south of the Gaza Strip, it will not be possible to move, as no place is currently safe. Only a ceasefire would allow the population’s movement to be secured.
Médecins du Monde demands that this evacuation order be revoked, that the siege be lifted so that drinking water, food, and essential supplies, including medical, can be delivered to the Gaza Strip, and that the population can be cared for and protected.
We also call on the Israeli army to respect international humanitarian law, which requires stopping bombings on civilians and health facilities. Médecins du Monde reminds that any attack on populations and civilian infrastructure constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law.
Médecins du Monde in Palestine
Médecins du Monde has been present in Palestine since 1994 and has been developing its activities in the Gaza Strip since 2019.
- The teams are notably strengthening access to mental health and psychosocial support – MHPSS.
- They are also strengthening the capacities of medical staff to meet the medical needs of the Palestinian population.
- The organization also provides an emergency response and long-term intervention in coordination with various institutional and civil society actors (training of local medical staff, provision of medical equipment and medicines, particularly in the fields of orthopedic and trauma surgery).