Northern Gaza’s Last Orthopaedic Surgeon Reportedly Killed by Israeli Tankfire

Palestinian officials report that Dr. Sayeed Joudeh, identified as potentially the last orthopaedic surgeon in northern Gaza, was killed by Israeli tankfire. Dr. Joudeh, a surgeon at Kamal Adwan and al-Awda hospitals in northern Gaza, died on Thursday while en route to his workplace. The Israeli military stated it was unaware of this incident but confirmed it was conducting an investigation. The surgeon, a grandfather, had returned from retirement to provide assistance amidst the ongoing conflict. During a press conference held last month at Kamal Adwan Hospital, he displayed a placard inscribed with “Save US,” a plea that, as noted, did not yield the desired outcome. Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital, recounted, “On his way to al-Awda Hospital to evaluate a patient, one of the tanks fired on him directly.” He added, “Unfortunately, he was killed instantly.” However, some eyewitnesses have reported that Dr. Joudeh was shot by a drone. Israel restricts foreign journalists’ unrestricted access to Gaza. From Jerusalem, a conversation took place with Louise Wateridge, who represents the primary United Nations aid agency operating in Gaza. Ms. Wateridge stated, “It’s devastating for his family. It’s devastating for people in the north who are relying on so few doctors.” She further remarked, “Hospitals in the Gaza Strip are not hospitals anymore,” elaborating, “There’s no sanitation. There are hardly any doctors. There’s no medical equipment. Patients are dying needlessly.” The humanitarian situation in Gaza was characterized as apocalyptic by Ms. Wateridge. For a period exceeding two months, a significant portion of Northern Gaza has been subjected to Israeli siege and bombardment. Israel asserts that its operations are aimed at Hamas operatives who are reportedly regrouping in the area. On October 7 of the previous year, Hamas initiated an assault in southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the capture of 251 hostages. In response, Israel commenced a large-scale operation within the Gaza Strip, with the declared objective of eliminating Hamas. To date, the Hamas-run health ministry reports at least 44,875 fatalities and over 100,000 injuries, predominantly among civilians. The United Nations considers these figures to be reliable. Local medics reported that at least 30 individuals were killed and 50 others wounded in an Israeli strike on Thursday night in central Gaza, targeting a post office that had been converted into a shelter for displaced persons. Residents indicated that Gazans displaced by the 14-month conflict were seeking refuge there, and numerous members of a single extended family were among the casualties. The Israeli military stated that its target was a senior member of Islamic Jihad, whom it held responsible for attacks against Israeli civilians and troops. It further accused the armed group of utilizing Gaza’s civilian population as human shields for its operations. This content is copyrighted by BBC, 2024, with all rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites and provides information regarding its policy on external linking.