Destruction of our NGO office in Gaza City

Doctors of the World condemns in the strongest possible terms the deliberate destruction of its offices in Gaza City. No NGO staff or civilians were inside when the building was demolished. This attack, which took place a few days ago, is a further demonstration of the blatant violations of international humanitarian law that are taking place on a daily basis in the Gaza Strip.

According to information provided by Doctors of the World teams on the ground, the organisation’s offices in the al-Rimal neighbourhood of Gaza City were deliberately destroyed a few days ago. Doctors of the World received no warning of the attack, even though the offices were clearly identified as those of a humanitarian organisation, and the address of the building had been shared with the Israeli body responsible for coordinating with NGOs, to ensure that it would not be targeted.

Only a few days ago, one of our team members and their whole family were sheltering in this office. For days, they barricaded themselves inside using cupboards, as they could hear many civilians being killed and were surrounded by explosions. On February 3rd, soldiers entered the Doctors of the World offices and removed elderly people, women and children. The men were subjected to extremely degrading and humiliating methods, with soldiers forcing them to leave naked.

Doctors of the World then had no news of its offices until it received shocking images clearly showing that the building housing the NGO’s offices had been deliberately destroyed. “Once again, we are outraged by what appears to be a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law. The destruction of our offices is further proof that absolutely nowhere is safe in Gaza. NGO buildings are being demolished, humanitarian aid is insufficient, and civilians continue to die every day. Demolishing the infrastructures of NGOs is another way of limiting or even preventing humanitarian aid from being organised,” condemns Helena Ranchal, Director of International Operations at Doctors of the World France.

Doctors of the World reiterates its call for an immediate ceasefire, which is the only way to end the current humanitarian disaster and to protect civilians, healthcare staff, and facilities.