Gaza’s Nasser Hospital slams MSF’s ‘unsubstantiated’ armed men allegation
Al Jazeera
February 15, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Gaza’s Nasser Hospital has strongly condemned Doctors Without Borders (MSF) for accusing the hospital of harboring armed men and weapons, calling the allegations “false, unsubstantiated, and misleading.” In a statement, the hospital argued that MSF’s claims misrepresent facts and echo historical narratives used to justify attacks on civilian medical facilities. Located in Khan Younis, Nasser Hospital is one of southern Gaza’s last functioning large hospitals, serving over one million civilians under international humanitarian law protection.
MSF suspended all noncritical operations at the hospital in October 2023, citing increased security risks following a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The charity alleged that patients and staff had reported armed individuals in parts of the facility. However, Nasser Hospital rejected these claims, emphasizing that it operates transparently and has implemented civilian police presence in compliance with international norms.
The hospital accused MSF of endangering its protected status by making “non-neutral” statements that couldManufacture consent for attacks on the facility. A group called Doctors Against Genocide also criticized MSF’s “false allegations,” warning they put healthcare workers and patients at risk of harm.
MSF’s decision to halt operations followed new Israeli directives requiring international groups in Gaza and the West Bank to comply with stricter reporting standards, including sharing detailed staff information. MSF refused, citing safety concerns for its personnel. The move comes amid ongoing tensions, as Israel has severely damaged Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure and detained 95 Palestinian medical workers, including 80 from Gaza.
This dispute highlights broader challenges in maintaining healthcare neutrality during conflicts and underscores the risks faced by medical facilities and staff in Gaza. Nasser Hospital’s指责 of MSF raises questions about transparency and accountability in humanitarian operations, particularly in high-stakes environments like Gaza.
Verticals
worldpolitics
Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/15/2026