MSF Chief Warns of “Catastrophic” Impact as Israel Orders Aid Group to Cease Gaza Operations

Muscat: Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said the expulsion order, effective 28 February 2026, will deprive hundreds of thousands of Palestinians of critical care amidst a collapsed health system. In a stark warning, the Secretary-General of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Christopher Lockyear, stated that an Israeli order to halt the organization's humanitarian activities in the Gaza Strip would have "catastrophic" consequences for residents already facing a dire health crisis. According to Oman News Agency, the warning follows a formal notification from Israeli occupation authorities ordering MSF to cease its operations and leave the territory by 28 February. Lockyear condemned the decision, stating it comes at a moment when "Palestinian people need more humanitarian assistance, not less." Highlighting the scale of MSF's work, Lockyear noted the organization provided over 800,000 medical consultations and treated more than 100,000 injuries in Gaza last year, in addition to supplying over 700 million liters of water. The expulsion threatens to sever a vital lifeline for a population where the health system has suffered a near-total collapse. Lockyear explained that the organization has been unable to import medical supplies into Gaza since December 2025, following a 60-day ultimatum from Israeli occupation authorities. He further accused Israel of conducting an "orchestrated campaign" to delegitimize MSF and stated the organization has not received clear assurances regarding the safety of its staff. The Israeli decision effectively ends the activities of one of the last major international medical organizations operating at scale within Gaza, raising immediate concerns for the fate of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians dependent on its services.