Thursday, February 6FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA, PALESTINE WILL BE FREE

Dr. Abed from Al Awda Hospital in Gaza: “We will continue to save what remains of our people.”

Posted by: John Phoenix

Global Research, November 20, 2024

Dr. Fayez Abed from Al Awda Hospital in northern Gaza shares a harrowing account of the conditions faced by patients and medical staff under the ongoing threat of bombings. On October 20, 2023, we had spoken with the director of the hospital, Dr. Ahmed Muhanna. Since his abduction on December 17, 2023 by Nazi occupation forces, no information about his fate has been available.

Interview with Lode Vanoost

On October 20, 2023, we managed a live WhatsApp call with Dr. Ahmed Muhanna, director of Al Awda Hospital in northern Gaza. Despite poor sound and video quality, the communication worked (you can watch our conversation on the second video of this article).  

Two months later, on 17 December 2023, Dr. Muhanna was abducted by Nazi occupation forces. Since then, there has been no information about his fate, health, or whereabouts. Several other medical colleagues have also been abducted, some of whom died under suspicious circumstances after severe torture, while others were tortured and later released. Their situation remains as uncertain as Dr. Muhanna’s. 

One year later, direct conversations are no longer possible due to the destruction of transmission antennas and communication equipment by the occupation forces. Dr. Fayez Abed, who continues working at Al Awda Hospital, communicates minimally via his mobile phone near an open window—which is life-threatening because of Israeli sniper fire targeting anyone visible.  

Photo shows Drs. Muhanna and Abed caring for an infant and staff mourning three colleagues executed by occupation forces.  

The interview was conducted in phases: questions were sent via WhatsApp, and Dr. Abed responded in brief text messages in Spanish, a language he learned while studying medicine in Cuba. His answers were compiled and translated.

Concerns About Dr. Ahmed Muhanna  

There are many reasons to worry about the abducted Dr. Ahmed Muhanna. Is he still alive? If so, in what conditions is he being held? What is his health status? We asked Dr. Abed for an update on this and the current situation at Al Awda Hospital.  

Nazi Forces Shoot Canadian Doctor in Gaza

Dr. Fayez Abed:

“There has been no official information about Dr. Ahmed Muhanna since his abduction on 17 December  2023.”  

Dr. Abed describes critical shortages:

“Al Awda Hospital faces a series of problems, the most critical being the lack of medicines, medical supplies, food, and fuel for the generator, as well as insufficient medical staff. Despite repeated pleas from the Red Cross and the World Health Organization sourced from the hospital administration, the occupation forces have refused to coordinate the delivery of basic necessities during more than 41 days of siege.”  

The staff bids farewell to three colleagues executed by the Nazi occupying army

Regarding electricity: “We only use the generator for life-saving surgeries.”  

All departments are overcrowded.

“For the first time, Al Awda Hospital has placed extra beds in hallways. We have around 56 patients with companions and receive 70 to 150 patients daily in reception and emergency, most of whom are women and children. Some require admission for emergency surgeries.”  

Interview with doctor Ahmed Muhanna on October 20, 2023 (11:29, English, no subtitles)

Staff Shortages: 

Dr. Abed reports:

“We have one surgeon performing life-saving procedures, four obstetricians handling emergency gynecological operations, three emergency physicians, and two anesthesiologists. Including all staff—doctors, nurses, and support services—we have 69 employees. This is only 45% of the original 157 health personnel before October 7, 2023.”  

A wounded child does not give up hope 

“The occupation forces repeatedly threatened us with evacuating the hospital, but we refused and remained steadfast amid bombings and sniper fire to save what remains of our people in northern Gaza.”  

A seriously injured child is carried in

The Belgian NGO Viva Salud supports Al Awda Hospital and three other healthcare facilities in Gaza through projects recognized by Belgium’s Ministry of Development Cooperation.  

Related Articles

Day 7: Alberta’s Premier Danielle Smith Seeks the Imprisonment of Dr. William Makis

Nov 20, 2024

“Who Am I”, a Documentary Film

Nov 7, 2024

Syria and Gaza: Continuity of Barbarism. Empire and Its Proxies Destroy Healthcare and Humanity as Policy

Oct 28, 2024

Ontario College of Physicians Demands that Doctors Conform to “Agendas that They Endorse”. Covid Crisis. “Doctors Coerced into Injecting Themselves”

Oct 26, 2024

Continuity of Barbarism. Western Proxies Murder Children as Policy

Oct 15, 2024

15 Minutes with Dr. William Makis: Threats Against My Family by the College. Visit to Edmonton Police Service Today

Oct 11, 2024

By Dr. Fayez Abed and Lode Vanoost

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *