Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has announced the suspension of its medical operations in Gaza City, citing that its clinics are now encircled by advancing Israeli forces. The humanitarian group said this was the “last thing” it wanted but emphasized that vulnerable populations—including infants in neonatal units and patients with life-threatening conditions—are now in “grave danger.” The move underscores the severe deterioration of Gaza’s health system, already crippled by months of bombardment and restrictions.
The announcement came as Hamas rejected reports in Israeli media that it had agreed in principle to a truce plan proposed by US President Donald Trump. Hamas officials insist no formal plan has been presented to them, casting doubt on speculation of a breakthrough in negotiations.
Conflicting Claims on Ceasefire Proposals
Reports from Israeli newspaper Haaretz suggested that Hamas had accepted a framework to release Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops, and guarantees against annexation of the territory. Crucially, the plan also reportedly included the end of Hamas’s political control in Gaza.
However, a Hamas official speaking to Reuters dismissed these claims outright, stating: “Hamas has not been presented with any plan.” This directly contradicted President Trump’s optimistic comments to reporters, where he said, “It’s looking like we have a deal on Gaza.” Trump did not provide details or a timeline for the proposal, leaving observers questioning the credibility of the reported truce.
Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have made no public response. Netanyahu is set to meet Trump on Monday in Washington, but his governing coalition has consistently opposed any ceasefire that leaves Hamas in power.
Ongoing Military Escalation
While diplomatic speculation dominates headlines, the situation on the ground has only intensified. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that its aircraft struck 120 targets across Gaza in the last 24 hours, while ground troops pressed further into Gaza City.
The Palestinian Health Ministry reported 74 deaths in the enclave within the same period. The United Nations estimates that between 350,000 and 400,000 Palestinians have fled Gaza City since the renewed offensive began two weeks ago. Yet hundreds of thousands remain trapped amid food shortages, disrupted medical care, and relentless bombardment.
An IDF Arabic-language spokesperson again called on civilians to leave Gaza City. Humanitarian agencies counter that safe passage is almost impossible due to ongoing strikes and blockades.
Health System Collapse
The suspension of MSF’s operations adds to the growing crisis in Gaza’s healthcare system. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that four health facilities in Gaza City have closed this month, while several UN-supported malnutrition centres have also shut down. Medical professionals describe conditions in surviving hospitals as catastrophic, with shortages of fuel, anesthesia, and antibiotics.
Doctors inside Gaza warn that patients requiring dialysis, chemotherapy, or neonatal care face imminent death if they cannot access functioning hospitals. Australian doctors recently described scenes in one Gaza hospital as a “slaughterhouse,” highlighting the collapse of basic medical services.
MSF stressed that halting operations was never the intended course, but encirclement by Israeli troops left them unable to move supplies or evacuate vulnerable patients. The organization has previously warned that the “weaponisation of healthcare” in conflict zones leads to preventable mass casualties.
International and Regional Dimensions
President Trump’s administration has intensified diplomatic outreach in recent days. His special envoy, Steve Witkoff, revealed that Trump presented a 21-point Middle East peace plan to leaders of several Muslim-majority nations. Details of this plan remain undisclosed, though reports suggest it includes provisions on hostages, governance, and long-term regional security.
Critics argue that the timing and secrecy of Trump’s proposal raise questions about its feasibility. Without buy-in from both Hamas and Israel, the framework is unlikely to materialize. Regional governments—including Egypt and Qatar, which have historically mediated between Hamas and Israel—have not yet commented publicly on Trump’s reported initiative.
Netanyahu, for his part, continues to assert that the war cannot end until Hamas is “completely destroyed.” This stance aligns with the hawkish elements of his governing coalition but complicates any US-led attempts at securing a compromise.
Humanitarian Toll
Since the outbreak of the conflict nearly two years ago, following a Hamas-led attack that killed around 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage, Gaza has faced unprecedented devastation. According to Gazan health authorities, more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed. Israel disputes these figures but does not provide alternative tallies for civilian casualties.
The enclave’s 2.2 million residents have been displaced multiple times, with the United Nations stating that the entire population has faced forced movements at least once during the war. UN relief agencies report near-total dependency on humanitarian aid, which itself has been repeatedly disrupted by hostilities and restrictions.
Food insecurity has reached catastrophic levels, with WFP estimates showing that nearly all households face “emergency or worse” hunger. The destruction of agricultural land, fishing infrastructure, and bakeries has compounded shortages, leaving civilians reliant on aid convoys that often cannot reach them.
Risks of a Broader Escalation
Diplomatic analysts caution that the longer the war drags on, the greater the risk of regional spillover. Border clashes with Hezbollah in Lebanon continue intermittently, while militant groups in the West Bank have escalated attacks on Israeli forces. Jordan and Egypt, both bordering Israel and Palestine, have seen large public protests demanding stronger action against Israel’s military campaign.
The United States, while publicly supporting Israel’s right to self-defense, faces growing pressure at home and abroad to prioritize de-escalation. Human rights organizations argue that Washington risks complicity in war crimes if it continues to supply weapons without stronger conditions on their use.
The Road Ahead
With no agreed ceasefire, the humanitarian situation in Gaza appears set to deteriorate further. MSF’s suspension is not just a logistical setback—it symbolizes the near-total collapse of humanitarian space in Gaza City. If even international medical groups cannot operate, the prospects for civilian survival diminish sharply.
Diplomatic maneuvering may offer a glimmer of hope, but the gap between rhetoric and reality remains vast. Until there is an enforceable agreement with verifiable guarantees, civilians in Gaza are likely to endure more suffering.
For now, the international community faces urgent choices: increase pressure on both Hamas and Israel to accept a ceasefire, expand humanitarian corridors despite security risks, or risk presiding over one of the most devastating humanitarian crises in modern conflict history.
