Doctors Without Borders condemns deadly airstrike on Gaza’s Jabalia camp

LONDON

The medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) expressed its deep shock and condemnation Tuesday following reports of a deadly airstrike by Israel on the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza.

"We are horrified by news coming from Jabalia camp where high numbers of people have reportedly been killed by an Israeli airstrike. “After the attack, many wounded people arrived to Al-Shifa Hospital where our teams helped to provide emergency medical care," it said on X.

"We condemn this latest episode of senseless violence and reiterate our call for an immediate cease-fire to prevent more deaths across the Strip. Enough is enough!" it added.

"Young children arrived at the hospital with deep wounds and severe burns. They came without their families. Many were screaming and asking for their parents. I stayed with them until we could find a place, as the hospital was full with patients," Mohammed Hawajreh, an MSF nurse, said on X.

A series of Israeli airstrikes on the camp led to hundreds of casualties, according to the Interior Ministry in the besieged enclave.

Most of the victims were women and children, it said, adding that Israeli warplanes destroyed the entire residential square known as Block 6.

The Israeli army has expanded its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the Palestinian resistance group Hamas launched a surprise cross-border offensive against Israel on Oct. 7.

The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has climbed to 8,525, the Health Ministry in the blockaded enclave said Tuesday.

“The victims include 3,542 children and 2,187 women, while 21,543 other people were injured,” ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra told a press conference in Gaza City.

More than 1,538 Israelis have been killed in the conflict.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected growing calls for a cease-fire, saying it would be a "surrender" to Hamas.

An Israeli blockade of the Strip has also cut off Gaza from fuel, electricity and water supplies.

Reduced aid deliveries are unable to satisfy the needs of its more than 2 million residents.