Dr. Sayeed Joudeh, believed to be the last orthopaedic surgeon in northern Gaza, was killed in an Israeli strike while en route to work. Eyewitness accounts vary regarding the circumstances of his death. The humanitarian crisis intensifies, with over 44,000 reported deaths due to the ongoing conflict.
Last Orthopaedic Surgeon in Northern Gaza Reportedly Killed Amid Ongoing Conflict
Last Orthopaedic Surgeon in Northern Gaza Reportedly Killed Amid Ongoing Conflict
The death of Dr. Sayeed Joudeh highlights the worsening humanitarian crisis as medical resources dwindle in northern Gaza following continued Israeli strikes.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza continues to escalate as reports confirm the death of Dr. Sayeed Joudeh, who was regarded as the last orthopaedic surgeon in northern Gaza. According to Palestinian officials, Dr. Joudeh was killed by an Israeli strike while trying to reach al-Awda Hospital to evaluate a patient. His death adds to the alarming crisis in the region affecting medical personnel and resources.
Dr. Joudeh had recently returned from retirement to aid in the care of patients amidst the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza. He previously expressed his desperation for international assistance during a press conference at Kamal Adwan Hospital, where he famously held a placard stating, "Save US." Despite such appeals, the situation has not improved.
Witnesses reported two different accounts of how Dr. Joudeh died; some state it was a direct hit from an Israeli tank, while others claim he was struck by a drone. Israeli military officials have stated they were not aware of the incident and are conducting an investigation.
Louise Wateridge from the UN aid agency in Gaza stated the loss is devastating not only for Dr. Joudeh’s family but also for the community in northern Gaza, which is already struggling with a dire shortage of medical professionals. Wateridge emphasized that the remaining hospitals are failing to provide essential care due to poor sanitary conditions and insufficient medical supplies, resulting in unnecessary deaths among patients.
The situation in northern Gaza has been described as apocalyptic, exacerbated by a severe humanitarian crisis stemming from the ongoing Israeli-Hamas conflict. The conflict further escalated after Hamas launched an attack in southern Israel on October 7, 2022, which led to retaliatory operations by Israel aimed at dismantling Hamas military capabilities in Gaza.
The latest reports indicate that over 44,875 people have died, and more than 100,000 have been injured due to the conflict, according to information from the Hamas-run health ministry, a figure regarded as credible by the United Nations. Recent Israeli airstrikes have also targeted a shelter for displaced civilians, resulting in heavy casualties, further complicating the humanitarian emergency in the region.
As the war rages on, both sides continue to assert their positions, with Israel accusing armed factions of using civilians as shields, while the devastating toll on the population raises urgent calls for international intervention and support.
