MSF Chief Warns of 'Catastrophic' Fallout as Israel Bans Aid Group from Gaza
GENEVA — The head of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) warned on Monday that Israel's move to ban the medical charity from operating in Gaza and the West Bank will have "catastrophic" consequences for Palestinians already facing a severe humanitarian crisis.
Israel announced on Sunday it would terminate all MSF activities in the territories, effective March 1, accusing the organization of failing to provide a list of its Palestinian staff—a requirement imposed last December on dozens of aid groups. MSF Secretary-General Christopher Lockyear, in an interview with AFP at the charity's Geneva headquarters, called the demand a "pretext" designed to obstruct humanitarian assistance.
"This is a decision made to restrict aid at the most critical time," Lockyear said. "We are at a moment where Palestinian people need more humanitarian assistance, not less. Ceasing our activities will be catastrophic for Gaza and the West Bank."
MSF has been a cornerstone of medical relief in Gaza, especially since the war erupted following Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The group currently supports about 20% of hospital beds in the strip, runs some 20 health centers, and in 2025 alone conducted over 800,000 medical consultations, treated more than 100,000 trauma cases, and assisted in 10,000 childbirths. It also provided more than 700 million liters of water.
Israel has alleged that two MSF employees had links to Hamas and Islamic Jihad—claims the charity vehemently denies. "If Israel has any evidence, they should share it," Lockyear said. "No proof has been given to us."
He described an "orchestrated campaign to delegitimize us" and urged other governments to pressure Israel to reverse the ban. MSF, which employs about 1,100 staff in Gaza, said it faced an "impossible choice" between staff safety and reaching patients. The group refused to hand over staff lists, citing Israel's failure to guarantee safety, protect personal data, and safeguard medical independence.
Lockyear called the refusal a "rational" decision, noting that 15 MSF staff have been killed in Gaza during the conflict—part of what the UN says are more than 500 aid workers and 1,700 medical personnel killed there. Without independent organizations like MSF, he warned, an already dire situation "can only get worse."
Reaction & Analysis:
Dr. Amina Khalid, a public health researcher at King's College London: "This isn't just about one organization. MSF handles a huge portion of complex medical cases—war injuries, chronic conditions, maternal care. Their removal will collapse an already fragile health system and directly cost lives."
David Rosen, a former diplomat and Middle East analyst in Washington: "While Israel has legitimate security concerns, blanket bans on major aid providers risk triggering a complete humanitarian collapse. This could further isolate Israel internationally and harden perceptions of collective punishment."
Sarah Chen, advocacy director at the Global Relief Network: "It's outrageous. Using bureaucracy to block aid while people starve and die from preventable diseases is a political maneuver, not a security measure. The international community's muted response is complicity."
Michael Schiff, policy fellow at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy: "Aid groups must comply with reasonable transparency rules in a war zone. If MSF chooses not to share staff details, it raises questions. Israel cannot be expected to allow unrestricted access without basic oversight."