Since October 7, 2023, when a Hamas attack killed 1,200 and kidnapped 240 hostages in Israel, the region has been engulfed in conflict, with devastating effects on Gaza’s civilian population.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, initiated after a deadly attack by Hamas, has resulted in severe humanitarian consequences in the Gaza Strip. According to the United Nations, more than 58,000 Palestinians have died in Israeli air and ground attacks as of July 18, including nearly 18,000 children, 10,000 women, and 4,500 elderly people. The hostilities have persisted for 21 months, leading to significant loss of life and the destruction of infrastructure.
Amidst the violence, Israel has maintained a blockade on Gaza, seriously limiting the entry of humanitarian aid, food, and medical supplies. The World Food Program has highlighted that the hunger crisis in Gaza has reached an unprecedented level. On July 20, 115 Palestinians were killed, many while seeking food aid, and 19 people succumbed to starvation, highlighting the desperate situation. The international community’s calls for action include Pope Leo’s plea for an end to the barbarity and the protection of Gaza’s civilians following an attack on Gaza’s only Catholic church.
Between The Lines recently interviewed two American doctors, Dr. Feroze Sidhwa and Dr. Ayaz Pathan, who have volunteered their medical services in Gaza. Dr. Sidhwa, a trauma surgeon who worked in Khan Younis, and Dr. Pathan, an emergency physician in northern Gaza, described the harrowing conditions under which they operated, emphasizing the comprehensive destruction of the region’s medical infrastructure. They reported that hospitals struggle to function, lacking even basic supplies like antibiotics and painkillers.
Dr. Sidhwa’s account highlights the devastating injuries sustained by Gaza’s population, which is predominantly young, with many patients being children under 12. He explained that the medical challenges are compounded by the lack of advanced medical facilities and equipment necessary for the reconstructive surgeries required in many cases. The blockade, he noted, prevents even essential medical resources from entering the region.
Both doctors underscored the role of the United States in this conflict. Dr. Sidhwa stated that American-made planes and bombs are used by Israeli pilots, and American bulldozers contribute to the destruction in Gaza. He emphasized that the U.S. involvement is not just indirect but participatory, arguing that the U.S. has the power to change the course of the conflict through diplomacy.
Dr. Pathan echoed these sentiments, stressing that most casualties are women and children, and reiterating the urgent need for medical and humanitarian aid. He drew attention to the vast financial and military support provided by the U.S., which he believes could be redirected to address domestic issues like homelessness and education.
Both doctors also criticized the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.-Israeli-backed initiative designed to replace long-standing United Nations aid efforts in the region. According to Dr. Sidhwa, the foundation functions as a mercenary operation, with food distribution sites engineered to provoke confrontations with the Israeli military, resulting in unnecessary civilian casualties.
The doctors’ testimonies reveal a complicated and dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, characterized by profound civilian suffering and widespread destruction. Their insights call for increased awareness and action from the international community to address the prolongation of hostilities and the dire humanitarian needs.