Humanitarian aid organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported a targeted attack on their evacuation convoy in Gaza City on 18 November 2023, attributing the assault to Israeli forces.
This incident killed a volunteer nurse working with MSF medical teams at Al-Shifa Hospital, and a family member of MSF staff. The convoy, clearly marked with MSF logos, was transporting staff and their families amidst escalating conflict in the region.
The convoy, consisting of five cars, was authorised for evacuation from Gaza to a safer location in southern Gaza. Despite this clearance, the convoy was denied passage by Israeli forces at a checkpoint on Salah Al-Deen Street. On their return to MSF premises, the convoy was attacked on Al-Wahida Street, leading to the fatalities.
Compounding the crisis, on 20 November, five MSF vehicles and the MSF clinic in Gaza City were severely damaged, attributable to actions by an Israeli bulldozer and a heavy military vehicle. Additionally, on 24 November, an MSF minibus sent for the evacuation of colleagues in northern Gaza was destroyed by an Israeli tank.
Karim Khan, the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), following visits to Israel and the West Bank, has committed to accelerating investigations into allegations of war crimes concerning the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. This announcement comes amidst heightened tensions and international scrutiny over the conflict’s civilian impact.
