In 1995, I embarked on a medical journey that ultimately led me to a profound humanitarian experience in Gaza. Despite the demanding nature of my medical training, I had long harbored a desire to contribute to global health. Fast forward to 2019, when I finally made my way to Gaza, motivated by the extraordinary work of my orthopaedic colleagues. Their relentless efforts to train local surgeons in lower limb trauma management had been ongoing since 2014, a skill set critical in a region marred by conflict. Recognizing the absence of specialized plastic surgeons in Gaza, I realized the limitations of their approach. During a mission in February 2020, I encountered Ahmed, a Palestinian doctor pursuing plastic surgery training in Qatar due to the lack of such programs in Gaza. Over breakfast, he shared his aspiration to establish a plastic surgery service in his homeland. We exchanged contact information, and upon completing his exams in 2021, Ahmed joined me as a fellow at Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospitals in London. Ahmed’s infectious enthusiasm and dedication soon endeared him to the entire department. When 2023 arrived, Ahmed announced his appointment as head of plastic surgery at Al Shifa Hospital, marking his return to Gaza to lead this vital service. The initial months of his tenure were marked by remarkable progress, with Ahmed sharing photos of intricate lower limb trauma reconstructions he performed. We exchanged stories and insights, marveling at his accomplishments. Tragedy struck in May 2023, when my planned visit to Gaza was abruptly canceled due to escalating violence. Despite these setbacks, our communication continued, with Ahmed taking on the challenges of breast cancer reconstruction and cleft lip and palate repair. My mission was rescheduled for October, and we eagerly planned prospective cases. However, fate had other plans. In November, following attacks on Israel by Hamas, Ahmed’s family sought refuge in his hospital office, seeking perceived safety under international humanitarian law. This illusion was shattered, and in December, they were forced to flee, seeking refuge in southern Gaza. Ahmed established a makeshift clinic at the European Gaza Hospital, working tirelessly with eight medical students and a GP to treat countless injured patients. When the Ideals team returned in January 2024, they brought tales of Ahmed’s extraordinary achievements. He had become our beacon of hope in the Middle East. Ahmed never explicitly requested my presence in Gaza, but he confided in me, seeking guidance on complex patient care and long-term outcomes. In March, I answered his call. Upon returning to the UK three weeks later, I am often asked to recount my experience. The situation in Gaza was overwhelming, with an incessant influx of casualties. The sheer number of patients and the scarcity of medical resources made it impossible to provide comprehensive care. Patients relentlessly approached me, seeking attention for their wounds or sharing heartbreaking stories of familial injuries. The workdays were grueling, far exceeding anything I had encountered in the UK. The hospital faced shortages of supplies, and the team was exhausted. Despite these challenges, we made significant progress. We treated over a hundred patients, trained students, inventoried supplies, and forged lasting friendships. Even now, I feel an enduring connection to Gaza. I continue to provide remote support to the team via WhatsApp, planning operations in Qatar for children we evacuated and fundraising for the charity. Hadeel, one of the medical students, gives me daily Arabic lessons over video call. I returned home, but my colleagues’ mental health weighs heavily on my mind. They have endured months of relentless bombardment, losing homes, loved ones, and witnessing unspeakable horrors. The psychological toll on IDF soldiers is equally concerning. Young men, sent to inflict devastation, will undoubtedly bear the scars of this conflict long after it ends. As for the future, Ahmed remains safe, and we continue to discuss the patients we treated. Ideals sends a mission to Gaza every month, and I plan to return in July. The World Health Organization aims to deploy emergency medical teams to northern Gaza, where medical services are severely depleted. I am hopeful for a return to the southern Gaza Strip, where I can once again collaborate with Ahmed and his team to alleviate the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
A Surgeon’s Unforgettable Journey to Gaza: Witnessing Resilience and Heartbreak
