Doctors Without Borders\Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said that the use of force by Israel unacceptable and, pointing out that it is concerned about the devastating impact of any escalation in the Gaza Strip in Palestine.

“The Israeli bombing is incredibly heavy and stronger than previous bombing campaigns,” said Hellen Ottens-Patterson, MSF Head of Mission in Palestine. “Relentless bombing has destroyed many homes and buildings all around us.”

“It’s not safe to go outside, and no one is safe inside, people are trapped,” added Ottens-Patterson. “Emergency health workers are taking incredible but necessary risks to move around.”

"This is not the first time that we witness the devastating consequences of violence in Gaza. Previous military confrontations between Israel and Gaza, have resulted in the injury and death of many thousands of Palestinian civilians, many of them children," she underlined.

“The level of violence and injury sustained over the last few days is unbearable and unacceptable. We are deeply concerned for the safety of people.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Natalie Thurtle, MSF’s Medical Coordinator said “After each war, each ‘escalation’, each wave of protests, we treat people in our clinics and hospitals who the Israeli armed forces have injured.”

“We see on a daily basis the long-term disabilities and pain that this violence causes, and we know that the longer this current round of violence goes on, the more people will be injured, and the more that they will suffer even long after the bombs have stopped,” Thurtle added.

“The 14-year Israeli blockade on Gaza means that the health system here lacks many of the things it needs to treat people even during normal times,” stressed Dr. Thurtle.

MSF, present in the Gaza Strip for over 20 years, said that it stands ready to support the local health authorities to provide vital medical care to those who need it.