MSF denounces killing of 14th staff member in Gaza

The attack took place on a street where our teams were waiting to take a bus to the MSF field hospital in Deir al-Balah. All staff were wearing MSF vests, clearly identifying themselves as medical humanitarian workers. 

We express deep sorrow and outrage over the killing, which occurred less than two weeks after another MSF colleague, Hussein Alnajjar, was killed by Israeli forces, also in Deir al-Balah. 

Our thoughts are with Omar’s family and colleagues at this tragic time. Omar was 42 years old and is the 14th MSF colleague to be killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023.

Omar was a quiet man of profound kindness and utter professionalism. Since June 2018, he had worked as an occupational therapist at an MSF clinic in Gaza City, dedicating his life to restoring strength and dignity to thousands of patients. He remained in Gaza City before finally evacuating south on September 13 due to relentless attacks and forced displacement from Israeli forces, who claimed people would find safety there. Instead, he was killed at a bus stop on his way to work.

Omar was the sole provider for his family since his father passed away and his young brother was killed. 

Multiple health care workers, MSF family members, and MSF staff were also seriously injured in the attack this morning, including a physiotherapist, orthopedic surgeon, supply officer, and a finance assistant. One of our staff members is in critical condition with shrapnel wounds. 

This attack is part of a years-long pattern of targeting health care 

In the moment of the attack, our colleagues were on their way to work amid Israel’s ongoing and relentless genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Since October 2023, health workers in Gaza have been killed, threatened, and detained, including Dr. Mohamed Obeid, an MSF surgeon still in detention with no formal charges. 

While hundreds of thousands of people continue to be pushed from northern Gaza to the south for their so-called safety, they continue to be attacked and killed everywhere across the Strip. Nowhere in Gaza is safe. The entire population has been starved and besieged for almost two years. 

We call for an end to the bloodshed and an end to the genocide. There must be a ceasefire now.