Displaced Palestinians are seeking refuge at the European Hospital in Khan Younis, but the constant echoes of explosions remain an unsettling presence. This information was reported by AFP via Getty Images.
Canadian eye surgeon, Dr. Yasser Khan, recently shared his harrowing experience of treating victims in Gaza during Israel's offensive against Hamas. The ophthalmologist, based in Greater Toronto, volunteered with U.S.-based NGO Rahma Worldwide, coordinated with the World Health Organization, and worked at the European Hospital in Khan Younis for seven days.
Dr. Khan described removing shrapnel from the shattered eyeballs of children, some as young as two, highlighting the toll on civilians. He recounted an incident where a six-year-old girl named Aseel, who lost family members in an Israeli airstrike, had a sizable piece of concrete shrapnel in her eye socket. The surgeon expressed deep empathy, noting the drastic impact on Aseel's life.
The medical mission revealed unprecedented suffering, with patients, including children and women, arriving with severe injuries—limbs lost, head trauma, and faces marked by shrapnel. Dr. Khan emphasized the distressing scenes of red dots on faces, each representing steel, wood, or concrete fragments.
Gaza, a region facing an estimated 24,000 Palestinian casualties, has witnessed extensive displacement, with 85% of the population (1.9 million people) internally displaced. The UN warns of an imminent risk of famine due to Israel's blockade, restricting access to food, clean water, and fuel.
International pressure on Israel to halt its military campaign has increased, with South Africa alleging genocide at the International Court of Justice. Canada expressed support for the ICJ's role but clarified its position on the case.
Dr. Khan revealed the hospital's challenging conditions, now a refuge for thousands of displaced people. The facility, overwhelmed with over 1,000 patients, struggles with limited resources, and only 13 out of 36 hospitals in Gaza are partially functioning.
The WHO has emphasized the need to protect health facilities, citing worrying hostilities close to medical establishments. Dr. Anas Al-Kassem, another Canadian trauma surgeon returning from Gaza, highlighted treating numerous children among the wounded.
Dr. Khan, despite the emotional toll and security concerns, expressed a willingness to return to Gaza, underscoring the heartbreaking reality faced by those affected. The article sheds light on the dire humanitarian situation, emphasizing the urgency of international intervention and protection for health facilities.
