In a heartbreaking testament to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Dr. Mahmoud Abu Nujaila, a dedicated physician at al-Awda Hospital, penned a poignant message on October 20, 2023, shortly before his life was cut short by an Israeli airstrike. His words, “Whoever stays until the end will tell the story. We did what we could – remember us,” were scrawled on a whiteboard, embodying the resilience of medical professionals amidst relentless violence.
Tragically, a month later, Dr. Nujaila and two of his colleagues, Dr. Ahmad Al Sahar and Dr. Ziad Al-Tatari, were killed when their hospital was targeted in an air raid. Their deaths are part of a larger pattern of violence against healthcare workers in Gaza, where more than 1,000 medical professionals have lost their lives and over 300 have been forcibly disappeared since the onset of hostilities.
The situation in Gaza has deteriorated rapidly, with hospitals that once served as critical care centers now reduced to rubble. Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest in Gaza City, was ransacked and burned, while the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital was bombed and besieged, leaving cancer patients without care. Al-Quds Hospital, where many significant surgeries were performed, faced similar devastation, ultimately being rendered inoperative as medical staff and patients were trapped without basic necessities.
The grim reality has deeply affected the remaining medical professionals and students in Gaza. Despite the overwhelming odds and personal losses, many, including Dr. Nujaila’s sister, Dr. Mariam Salama Abu Helow, continue to work tirelessly in the only functional hospital in southern Gaza. She witnesses daily the suffering of children and families caught in the crossfire, yet remains committed to her role as a pediatrician.
The ongoing violence has not deterred the aspirations of medical students in the region. One student, who has chosen to remain in Gaza despite opportunities to leave, shared her determination to become a doctor, inspired by the bravery of her colleagues and the urgent need for healthcare in her community. She carries the weight of her family’s sacrifices and the memory of her grandmother, who was among the many victims of the violence.
In December, a glimmer of hope emerged as 80 medical students graduated from Al-Azhar University, ready to step into the roles of healthcare providers in a region where the need is greater than ever. The commitment of these new doctors, alongside the ongoing efforts of their predecessors, underscores the resilience of the medical community in Gaza.
As the situation continues to unfold, the voices of those like Dr. Nujaila resonate, urging the world to remember the sacrifices made by healthcare workers in the face of unimaginable adversity. The hope remains that their stories will not be forgotten, and that the fight for healthcare and human dignity in Gaza will persist.