Medicines Sans Frontiers (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, have released a statement condemning what it claims was a “deliberate attack” on one of its humanitarian convoys inside Gaza that resulted in one person being killed.
“On 18 November 2023, an MSF staff member’s relative died and another one was injured in an attack on an MSF convoy trying to evacuate 137 people – MSF Palestinian staff members and their families,” a statement read.
They had been trapped for a week in MSF premises near al Shifa hospital, it added.
“MSF condemns in the strongest terms this deliberate attack.”
The statement said a convoy of five clearly marked cars were carrying the people, which included 65 children, towards southern Gaza.
The convoy reached a checkpoint near Wadi Gaza, at which point it turned around after hearing shots – moving to MSF premises 7km away from the checkpoint.
“On their way back, between 3.30pm and 4.00pm local time, the convoy was attacked in al Wehda street near the junction of Said al A’as street, near the MSF office.
“Two of the MSF cars were deliberately hit, killing one MSF staff’s family member and injuring another.”
Gaza health ministry says 30 babies were evacuated by UN from al Shifa hospital
The Hamas-led Gaza health ministry claims that 30 premature babies were evacuated by a United Nations team from al Shifa hospital.
No further details were shared.
A World Health Organisation report in the early hours of the morning indicated that 32 babies were left behind in a “critical” condition, after a mass evacuation of nearly everyone else from the hospital (see 6.29am post).
We’ll bring you the latest as we get it.