A British physician working in Gaza has urged world leaders to “stop talking and do something” as he described how individuals are ravenous and the “massive extent of destruction”.
Dr Tom Potokar – who has in contrast Gaza to a “slaugherhouse” due to the bombardment by Israeli forces – is a part of a gaggle of British specialist medical doctors and surgeons at present working in Khan Younis.
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Palestinians wrestle to get donated meals at a group kitchen in Khan Younis. Pic: AP
They’re plastic surgeons and orthopaedic specialists. The working theatres are a uncommon zone of calm because the medics work with the conflict outdoors and a continuing stream of wounded needing pressing therapy.
All of the sufferers are malnourished. Youngsters are struggling the worst. The shortage of meals and water has made them weak and extra weak to their accidents.
Hospitals in Gaza have repeatedly come underneath assault throughout the conflict. The Israel Protection Forces (IDF) claims Hamas has been hiding in them or in tunnels beneath.
Nasser hospital hasn’t escaped. The burns unit was one of many busiest components of the hospital, till it was destroyed in an airstrike.
The medical doctors sleep and spend downtime in small dwelling quarters inside the hospital itself. Meals is one prepared meal a day, solely 400 energy. The 11-week blockade is affecting everybody.
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Destruction within the burns unit at Nasser hospital
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A child is introduced into Nasser hospital to be handled for burns
Dr Potokar was working within the European hospital on the western fringe of Khan Younis however needed to evacuate final week when it got here underneath missile hearth and needed to shut.
He went to Amal hospital subsequent to Nasser and is working once more.
He says he is seen a dramatic change since he was final in Gaza shortly after the Hamas assault on 7 October 2023.
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Aftermath of strike on Gaza school-turned-shelter
“The difference this time I think is the intensity,” he says.
“Back in October to December ’23 was the last time I was here, there was a lot of wounded, and it was very intense as well.
“I feel the distinction this time is due to the blockade there’s so little stuff getting in, there is no meals getting in so individuals are ravenous, there’s little or no medical provides coming in but in addition the opposite very noticeable factor is the large extent of destruction – I imply Khan Younis seems to be like Stalingrad.”
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1:05
Surgeon compares Gaza to ‘killing fields’
Talking about what he has witnessed in Gaza, Dr Potokar added: “What can you say, it’s horrific, it’s a slaughterhouse. That’s what it is, it’s a slaughterhouse.”
He additionally urged world leaders to “stop talking and do something”.
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Dr Potokar holds prepared meals within the hospital
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The British physician with a affected person on the Amal hospital
The United Nations says 100 support vans had been cleared for entry into Gaza on Tuesday, however Tom Fletcher, a former British diplomat who now heads the UN Workplace for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, warned that 14,000 infants might die within the subsequent 48 hours if they do not obtain pressing support.
On Monday night, the IDF-declared fight zone was only some streets from the Nasser hospital. Drones flew low overhead by the day.
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British surgeon data video diary from Gaza
“An evacuation order for most of Khan Younis went out today, which meant we lost several members of the team,” stated Dr Victoria Rose, a plastic surgeon.
“My anaesthetic nurse and Graeme’s orthopaedic colleague had to leave us mid-case to go and evacuate their families to an area of safety.”
Dr Graeme Groom added: “These are people just like you and me, they have their homes, their families, they live normal lives, many are very impressive people and without notice they have to pick up a grab bag and leave… look for food, look for water, look for shelter, but turn up at work each day.”
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Dr Graeme Groom in Khan Younis
With the Israeli navy operation getting nearer, the medical doctors are additionally ready to evacuate at quick discover.
Important provides have been gathered and packed prepared in a storeroom.
However Nasser hospital has the final remaining ICU division in the entire of southern Gaza – considered one of solely two with a working oxygen provide. If it should be evacuated, then the remaining non permanent area hospitals would possible be overwhelmed and unable to manage.
