The healthcare system in Gaza faces a temporary reprieve as Israel's attempt to block Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières) and other aid groups is halted. From his tent perched on top of the rubble of a former building in southern Gaza, Jibril Najjar, who was shot in the leg and requires surgery, shares a dire prediction about the future of healthcare in Gaza, exacerbated by the departure of international humanitarian organizations. He warns that if MSF shuts down, he will die and lose his leg, highlighting the critical role these organizations play in providing essential medical care. MSF, along with nearly 40 other international agencies, was targeted by the Israeli government's attempt to ban them from operating in Gaza and the occupied West Bank from March 1st. This move followed months of pressure from Israeli authorities demanding detailed staffing lists and personal data from these organizations, a decision made in December 2024. A group of humanitarian organizations petitioned Israel's Supreme Court to suspend these measures, arguing they would cause irreparable harm to civilians. The court agreed to temporarily delay the ban while considering their case. However, the impact of this injunction on the ground remains uncertain, especially since some organizations have already withdrawn foreign staff. Oxfam, another aid group facing expulsion, expressed concerns about the security and legal risks associated with transferring personal data, as it exposes national staff to potential retaliation and undermines data protection. Human Rights Watch joined the criticism, arguing that the demands violate humanitarian principles of neutrality and independence. MSF initially agreed to hand over staffing details but later retracted the decision due to safety concerns from staff. MSF's head of emergencies in Gaza, Claire Nicolet, emphasized the need for open dialogue with Israeli authorities, expressing discomfort with sharing staff lists without understanding their use and recipients. The situation is further complicated by Israeli government minister Amichai Chikli's accusations of MSF's lack of transparency and alleged employment of individuals in terrorist organizations, which MSF refutes as a smear campaign. The reliance on organizations like MSF is evident in the case of Jibril Najjar, who spent eight days in Al-Shifa Hospital without treatment before MSF provided the necessary care. Concerns about Gaza's health system have been ongoing due to Israel's bombardment following Hamas' attacks on October 7, 2023. Israel has been accused of targeting health facilities and violating international law, but it argues that Hamas has used hospitals for military purposes, thus losing their protected status. MSF supported a significant portion of hospital beds and deliveries in Gaza, with Nicolet stating that MSF saw over 800,000 patients in 2025 alone. The fear is that blocking organizations like MSF will create an unfillable gap in the healthcare system, as Nicolet warns that the impact of their departure is immeasurable. The Israeli defense agency, COGAT, defended the deregistration, claiming it won't affect aid entry but did not address service delivery. Gazans, like Ammar Asaliyeh, who lost a leg during the war and relies on MSF for painkillers and physiotherapy, express worry about the potential departure of MSF, hoping for continued treatment and access to prosthetic limbs. MSF's subsidy of medications for locals, such as Musa Aliyah, who takes various kinds of medication, further highlights the organization's crucial role in supporting the vulnerable population of Gaza.
