Gaza ‘mass grave’ for Palestinians and those helping them: MSF
A Palestinian woman reacts as others carry the body of their relative, killed in an Israeli air raid, in preparation for burial at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, 16 April 2025
Al Jazeera reports on 16 April 2025:
Palestinian lives are being systematically destroyed as Israel’s continued bombardment of the Gaza Strip shows a “blatant disregard” for the safety of humanitarian workers, according to medical aid agency Doctors Without Borders (MSF).
Amande Bazerolle, MSF’s emergency coordinator in the enclave, said in a statement on Wednesday, “Gaza has been turned into a mass grave of Palestinians and those coming to their assistance.”
Last month, Israeli forces opened fire on ambulances in Gaza, killing 15 medics and rescuers in an incident that prompted international condemnation.
“We are witnessing in real time the destruction and forced displacement of the entire population in Gaza,” she said.
Medical facilities are not exempt from attacks and evacuation orders by Israeli forces. MSF teams have had to leave many facilities, while others continue operating with staff and patients trapped inside, unable to leave safely for hours at a time, the charity said.
“With nowhere safe for Palestinians or those trying to help them, the humanitarian response is severely struggling under the weight of insecurity and critical supply shortages, leaving people with few, if any, options for accessing care,” Bazerolle said.
Israel resumed aerial bombardment and ground operations in the Palestinian territory in March after it reneged on a two-month-old ceasefire. Thousands of people have since been killed, with many more displaced. Israel has also blocked humanitarian aid from entering Gaza since March 2.
Medical supplies, fuel, water and other essentials are in short supply, the United Nations says.
On Wednesday, Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel’s “policy is clear and no humanitarian aid will be allowed into Gaza” as it is “one of the main pressure tools” against Hamas.