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Statement on the killing of Fadi Al-Wadiya

MSF responds to new Israeli allegations against staff member in Gaza.

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News update

Update: MSF responds to new allegations against Al-Wadiya

June 27, 2024 — On the evening of June 26, Israeli authorities shared several new posts on social media about Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) staff member Fadi Al-Wadiya, who was killed by Israeli forces on June 25, accusing him of involvement in military activities in Gaza. MSF is deeply concerned by these allegations and is taking them very seriously.
 
MSF had no prior knowledge of Al-Wadiya's alleged involvement in military activities. MSF would never knowingly employ people engaging in military activity. Any employee who engages in military activity would pose a danger to our staff and patients. All employees are asked to undertake a commitment to the MSF Charter, which includes respecting humanitarian principles and medical ethics.

MSF has reached out to Israeli authorities asking for clarifications about the circumstances of Al-Wadiya's killing, however no formal explanation has been received. MSF is looking forward to full transparency around the circumstances of this killing. Only an independent investigation can establish the facts. The same strike that killed Al-Wadiya killed five other people, including three children.  

NEW YORK/JERUSALEM, June 26, 2024 — Israeli authorities have acknowledged responsibility for the killing of Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières’ (MSF) Palestinian colleague Fadi Al-Wadiya, who was targeted in a strike yesterday while on his way to work at an MSF clinic in Gaza City.

Israeli forces accused Al-Wadiya of being a “significant operative” of the Islamic Jihad armed group. However, MSF has no indication that this is true and has received no direct communication from Israeli authorities about this accusation. Israeli forces posted the allegations on X, formerly known as Twitter, yesterday evening.

Al-Wadiya was executed by an Israeli strike. No proof of any wrongdoing on his part has been shared with MSF. There is no justification for this; it is unacceptable. An independent investigation is necessary to establish the facts.
 

The crushed bike of MSF physiotherapist Fadi Al Al-Wadiya lies on the ground following an attack.
The crushed bike of MSF physiotherapist Fadi Al-Wadiya, who was killed by an Israeli strike on his way to work at the MSF clinic in Gaza City on the morning of June 25.
Palestine 2024 © MSF

Al-Wadiya was a medic, a physiotherapist, and a father of three children. He had worked with MSF between 2018 and 2022, and had recently rejoined our teams to care for wounded patients injured by the ongoing relentless Israeli attacks in Gaza. Yesterday morning, June 25, he was cycling to work when he was assassinated just outside MSF’s clinic in Gaza City. Five other people were killed in this Israeli attack, including three children. He is the sixth MSF colleague killed in Gaza since October 7, and one of 500 health workers killed by the Israeli forces over the same period, according to the United Nations.

Health care workers must be protected and should not be targeted.

MSF is an independent and impartial organization providing medical assistance to people in Gaza and other places around the world. All MSF members undertake a commitment to respect the MSF charter, and to provide assistance while upholding our principles of independence, neutrality, and impartiality. MSF staff provide care solely on the basis of medical needs, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or politics.

MSF physiotherapist killed in Gaza while on his way to work

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