A Doctor's Horrifying Experience in Gaza
A Palestinian doctor named Ghassan Abu Sitta recently returned from Gaza and shared the terrifying details of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip. He hopes that his testimony to the British police will lead to trials for war crimes. Dr. Abu Sitta treated people with burns caused by white phosphorus, which is considered a chemical weapon under international law.
The Severity of the Conflict
Dr. Abu Sitta, a 54-year-old surgeon specializing in war injuries, spent 43 days volunteering in the Gaza Strip. He worked mainly at Al-Ahly and Al-Shifa hospitals in the northern part of the Strip. According to him, the current conflict in Gaza is much worse than any other conflict he has witnessed in Gaza, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and southern Lebanon. He compared it to the difference between a flood and a tsunami, emphasizing the scale of the disaster.
The Devastating Impact on Children
Dr. Abu Sitta highlighted the large number of injured and deceased children, the extent of the disaster, and the intense bombing operations. The health system in Gaza quickly became overwhelmed, unable to handle the influx of patients within days of the war's start.
Difficult Decisions
Since October 7th, Israel has been waging a devastating war on the Gaza Strip, resulting in a high number of casualties and massive destruction. Dr. Abu Sitta recalled the challenges they faced due to limited resources. They had to make difficult decisions about who to treat, often unable to provide necessary medical care to everyone in need.
A Heartbreaking Case
Dr. Abu Sitta shared the story of a 40-year-old man who arrived at the hospital with shrapnel in his head. Unfortunately, they didn't have the necessary equipment or specialists to treat him. They had to inform his children, who stayed by his side all night, that he would not survive until morning.
A Lack of Anesthetics and Painkillers
The hospitals quickly ran out of anesthetics and painkillers, leaving Dr. Abu Sitta with no choice but to perform painful cleaning operations on the wounds of injured patients without any means to alleviate their pain. It was a difficult situation, but it was the only option to prevent them from dying from severe infections.
The Use of White Phosphorus
Dr. Abu Sitta confirmed that he treated people with burns caused by white phosphorus, which is prohibited as a chemical weapon under international law. However, it is still allowed for illuminating battlefields or creating smoke screens. He explained that white phosphorus burns deeply into the body, reaching the bones.
Returning to Britain and Seeking Justice
Due to the shortage of medical equipment, Dr. Abu Sitta had to leave Gaza. Since returning to Britain, he has been dedicating his time to raising awareness among political leaders and humanitarian organizations about the urgent need for aid in Gaza. He wants to help the sick in Gaza by sharing their stories with the world.
Reporting to the Police
Dr. Abu Sitta informed the London police about the injuries he witnessed, the types of weapons used, including white phosphorus, and the attacks against civilians. He also shared his personal experience of surviving an Israeli attack on Al-Ahli Hospital on October 17th.
Hope for Justice
Dr. Abu Sitta believes that justice will eventually prevail for the Palestinians, whether it takes 5 or 10 years or even when those responsible are eighty years old. He remains hopeful that the balance of power in the world will allow justice to be achieved.
Source: AFP/Agencies
