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Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has strongly criticised Israel’s decision to halt humanitarian aid and cut electricity to Gaza, accusing Israeli authorities of using aid as a negotiation tool.
MSF emergency coordinator Myriam Laaroussi called the move “outrageous” and reiterated that humanitarian aid should never be used as a bargaining chip during conflicts.
“This is outrageous. Humanitarian aid should never be used as a bargaining chip in war,” she stated in a Wednesday, March 12, 2025, press release.
The decision to halt aid followed a deadlock over a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, which has seen reduced hostilities since January 19 after over 15 months of relentless fighting.
In a related move, Israel also cut electricity to Gaza’s only desalination plant, which Hamas condemned as “blackmail.”
MSF described the electricity cut as collective punishment, warning that it would severely impact Gaza’s already dire humanitarian crisis.
The desalination plant, which supplies critical water to Gaza’s 2.4 million residents, was forced to reduce production from 17 million to just 2.5 million litres per day due to a lack of fuel.
The charity called for the end of the blockade, which it argued was causing deadly consequences for the population.
MSF has been facing significant challenges in delivering aid, as Israel’s goods entry system has obstructed the entry of essential supplies like medical equipment and desalination units, further complicating relief efforts.
