MSF halts medical services in Gaza City as Israeli offensive escalates
Gaza City: Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) announced on Friday that it has suspended lifesaving medical activities in Gaza City, citing an “unacceptable level of risk” to staff and patients as Israeli forces intensified their assault.
The humanitarian group said continued airstrikes and advancing tanks less than a kilometre from its healthcare facilities forced the suspension. “We have been left with no choice but to stop our activities, as our clinics are encircled by Israeli forces,” said Jacob Granger, MSF’s emergency coordinator in Gaza.
According to MSF, the halt comes at a critical time when needs are immense. Infants in neonatal care, patients with severe injuries, and people with life-threatening illnesses remain in grave danger. Tens of thousands have fled south following evacuation orders, but hundreds of thousands are still trapped in Gaza City without a safe route out.
Hospitals across the enclave are struggling with shortages of staff, supplies, and fuel, leaving many patients arriving too late and in critical condition. Despite the deteriorating situation, MSF clinics in Gaza City provided more than 3,600 consultations and treated 1,655 cases of malnutrition just last week, alongside trauma, burn, and maternity care.
While suspending activities in Gaza City, MSF said it would continue supporting services at Al-Helou and Al-Shifa hospitals as long as they remain functional. Teams in southern Gaza are still operating at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Al-Aqsa Hospital in the Middle Area, and several field hospitals.
MSF called for an immediate halt to hostilities and urged Israeli authorities to guarantee unhindered humanitarian access. “People in Gaza City have been repeatedly and relentlessly bombed. They are exhausted and are being deliberately deprived of the essentials needed to survive,” the group said.
The ongoing Israeli offensive has killed at least 65,549 people and wounded 167,518 since October 2023, with thousands more believed to be trapped under rubble.
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India moving towards becoming global economic powerhouse: Kovind
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Amritsar (PTI): Former president Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said that with digital transformation, economic reforms and a strong focus on the ease of doing business, India is moving towards becoming a global economic powerhouse.
He was speaking after inaugurating the 19th edition of the Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX) in Amritsar.
The former president said that this 19th edition of PITEX is being organised at a time when India is recognised as one of the fastest-growing large economies in the world.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the event organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) the former president, while referring to Punjab, said the state is a living example of courage, sacrifice and enterprise.
"The spiritual light of Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) inspires peace and humanity across the world. The heritage of Punjab is deep and inspiring," Kovind said, according to a statement issued by the PITEX.
The former president congratulated the PHDCCI for hosting the 19th edition of PITEX and suggested that the chamber should expand PITEX outside Punjab.
He proposed that a similar event should also be held in New Delhi.
