Last updated on July 31, 2024
Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) mourns the tragic loss of our colleagues who have been killed since the escalation of the war in Gaza in October 2023. We are outraged that many of these individuals were killed while providing care for patients or sheltering with their families. We remain deeply concerned for the safety of all our staff members and patients living under fire and siege.
Nowhere in Gaza is safe. Israeli forces have repeatedly attacked health workers and medical facilities, making it nearly impossible for us to continue to provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance. MSF is calling for an end to attacks on health workers and health facilities. We are also demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
MSF lab technician killed on November 6, 2023
Mohammed Al Ahel
Mohammed Al Ahel was at his home in Al Shati refugee camp on November 6 when the area was bombed and his building collapsed, reportedly killing dozens of people, including Mohammed and several members of his family. He was a laboratory technician and had been working with MSF for two years.
MSF volunteer nurse killed on November 18, 2023
Alaa Al Shawa
Alaa Al Shawa was a volunteer nurse supporting MSF teams at Al-Shifa Hospital. He was killed during an attack on an MSF convoy on November 18 while it was en route to southern Gaza to reach a safer place.
“We arrived at the clinic and started to try to give Alaa life support, trying to stop the bleeding from his head," said an anonymous MSF staff member present during the convoy attack. "We couldn't do anything. He died while we were trying to save his life.”
MSF doctor killed on November 21, 2023
Ahmad Al Sahar
Dr. Ahmad Al Sahar was killed in the November 21 strike on Al-Awda Hospital that also killed MSF’s Dr. Abu Nujaila and another doctor, Dr. Ziad Al-Tatari. Dr. Al Sahar and Dr. Abu Nujaila were working when the hospital’s third and fourth floors were hit. MSF has regularly shared information about Al-Awda, including making it clear to warring parties that it is a functioning hospital with medical staff.
MSF doctor killed on November 21, 2023
Mahmoud Abu Nujaila
Dr. Mahmoud Abu Nujaila was killed in a strike on Al-Awda Hospital in northern Gaza on November 21, along with MSF’s Dr. Ahmad Al Sahar and another doctor, Dr. Ziad Al-Tarari. Before his death, Dr. Abu Nujaila wrote a message on a whiteboard in the hospital normally used for planning surgeries: “Whoever stays until the end will tell the story. We did what we could. Remember us.”
MSF physiotherapist and MSF UK board member killed in December 2023
Reem Abu Lebdeh
Though the exact circumstances and date of Reem Abu Lebdeh’s death remain unclear, we believe she was killed along with members of her family at their home in Khan Younis in southern Gaza. Some members of her family remain unaccounted for.
When the Israeli military campaign moved more extensively into Khan Younis over two months ago, we knew Reem was sheltering with her parents and siblings. Regrettably, contact with Reem was lost shortly thereafter and all attempts to regain it failed due to telecommunications networks being cut off.
MSF physiotherapist killed on June 25
Fadi Al-Wadiya
Fadi Al-Wadiya was killed on June 25 along with five other people, including children, near an MSF clinic in Gaza City. He was cycling to work at the time, on his way to provide medical care to others who had been injured. Al-Wadiya was a 33-year-old physiotherapist and father of three. He worked for MSF from 2018 to 2022 and rejoined the organization in 2024.
On June 26, Israeli authorities shared several posts on social media accusing Al-Wadiya of involvement in military activities in Gaza. MSF is deeply concerned by these allegations and is taking them very seriously.
MSF has reached out to Israeli authorities asking for clarifications about the circumstances of Al-Wadiya's killing. Only an independent investigation can establish the facts.
