There’s a light at the end of the tunnel for Palestinians in Gaza after US President Joe Biden unveiled Israel’s three-phase road map to an ‘enduring’ ceasefire in Gaza on Friday evening. Hamas has reportedly received the ceasefire proposal ‘positively,’ in a statement released several hours later.
However, nothing is yet set in stone, as Israel’s attacks continue even after the proposal, and the humanitarian situation on the ground is ‘alarming,’ according to Director-General of Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Luxembourg, Thomas Kauffmann.
Between the incessant bombing campaigns, ground assaults, and the humanitarian aid blocks, Kaufmann insists that “the Palestinian population has nothing left.” He calls for the Israeli government to respect humanitarian corridors and do everything that is necessary to allow the safe transit of humanitarian aid. “Our demands remain the same as they have been since the beginning, we want an immediate ceasefire,” declared Kaufmann.
So far, Thomas Kauffmann asserts that the process of delivering humanitarian aid has proceeded “according to the will of the Israeli government.” He cites the example of 130 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid that were supposed to enter Gaza on May 26th. According to him, they were allowed to pass, but 70 vehicles had to turn back “due to Israeli military operations.” He denounces what appears to be, in his view, “a targeted strategy.”
The Director-General of Doctors Without Borders Luxembourg further affirms that Israel’s military strategy regularly leads to civilian massacres. He highlights the bombardments near densely populated areas like Rafah. MSF Luxembourg recently demanded an immediate end to Israel’s offensive in Rafah.
“Israel needs to be convinced that this war must come to an end,” declared Kauffmann before adding that the “countries allowing this to continue are morally and politically complicit.” While awaiting a response from the international community, the situation worsens for civilians who no longer have access to basic healthcare and are at risk of famine. “We have distributed four times less water than usual in recent weeks,” the director expressed, concerned.
This is because the MSF team needs fuel. “Without fuel, we cannot filter the water, and we don’t have any bottled water,” explained Kauffmann. In fact, the humanitarian organisation only has doctors and nurses on the ground along with some coordinators and administrators.
Presently, just over 300 MSF volunteers are working in the Gaza strip. The majority being Palestinian. 20 international volunteers are also on the ground. “We always insist on evacuating them during heavy conflicts but they all want to stay, in solidarity,” affirmed Kauffmann.
“A rotation is scheduled ‘every three weeks’ whenever possible. But this is not always possible during the uncertainties of wartime,” Mr. Kauffmann explained, emphasising that they are dealing with “experienced personnel” who have been deployed multiple times. “Some have been working with us for 20-25 years,” he adds.
Unfortunately, he notes that the work is becoming increasingly challenging, both in the field and in Luxembourg. “The public tends to forget about these conflicts, and when they forget, they don’t donate,” expressed the MSF director. He highlights that Doctors Without Borders relies entirely on donations to function.
“99% of our funding comes from private donations, we do not accept money from states to maintain neutrality,” he specifies. It’s individuals, businesses, foundations, and sometimes private funds that enable MSF to continue its missions. However, the MSF’s efforts are being increasingly obstructed in the Gaza strip.
