Palestinian-British surgeon, Professor Ghassan Abu Sitta, recently returned to London after a harrowing escape from Gaza, shares his 43-day ordeal amidst the war, detailing a night he was forced to perform amputations on six children. His journey to Gaza began in the early hours of October 9, intending to provide medical assistance.
On November 18, after an intense period in Gaza, he returned to his home in West London. During his stay, Professor Abu Sitta worked tirelessly at Al-Shifa and Al-Ahli hospitals, conducting surgeries for victims of the intense Israeli bombardment and ground operations. These conflicts have reportedly claimed 14,800 lives to date.
Professor Abu Sitta believes that up to 900 children in Gaza have undergone limb amputations since the war’s onset. Speaking to The Telegraph after a press conference, he recounted performing these procedures on six children in a single night. “In the fourth or fifth day of the war, half of my surgery list, which ranged from 10 to 12 cases daily, were children,” he said. He explained that surgeries for children indicate a long medical journey ahead, with 10 to 15 more surgeries required before they reach adulthood and their bodies stop growing.
Professor Abu Sitta described many patients on the operating table as victims of Israeli shrapnel rockets, necessitating extremely challenging amputations, such as mid-thigh, involving thick muscle networks and the femur, the body’s strongest bone. Shrapnel bombs are particularly lethal as they explode upon impact, releasing a shower of fast-moving, small metal fragments, according to The Telegraph.
The impact of this conflict on Gaza’s healthcare system is profound. Hospitals and medical staff face overwhelming challenges, with limited resources and constant threats. The plight of child victims, many requiring multiple surgeries and lifelong care, underscores the long-term human cost of the conflict.
Professor Abu Sitta’s experience in Gaza is a stark reminder of the human toll of war and the critical role of medical professionals in conflict zones. His account contributes to the broader narrative of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting the need for humanitarian support and the pursuit of lasting peace in the region.
