London-based plastic and reconstructive surgeon Prof Ghassan Abu-Sittah, who spent 43 days under bombardment in Gaza, has narrated the horrific situation, which he termed a massacre, and asserted that the intentional destruction of the Palestinian health system was a military objective of Israel.
The surgeon, who has worked in Gaza since 2009 and provided evidence to Scotland Yard, recounted horrific scenes at al-Ahli Arab and Dar al-Shifa hospitals as they ceased to function, according to The Guardian.
Abu-Sittah claimed to have witnessed the use of white phosphorus munitions, an accusation denied by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Abu-Sittah argued that the creation of an uninhabitable Gaza Strip was the primary aim of the conflict, with the destruction of crucial components of modern life, including the health system, being a deliberate military objective. When questioned about Israel's assertion of targeting only Hamas and avoiding civilian casualties, Abu-Sittah responded, stating that the statistical evidence paints a different picture.
Claims of white phosphorus use in Gaza were also made by Human Rights Watch in October, although the IDF vehemently denied such allegations. Despite a two-day extension of a truce announced on Monday, Abu-Sittah expressed that recent humanitarian aid fell short of addressing the dire situation.
During his six weeks in Gaza, Abu-Sittah observed a shift in the types of injuries treated by medical workers, ranging from blast injuries to those caused by fragmentary missiles, sniper attacks, and alleged incendiary bombs. He mentioned the appearance of phosphorus burns, which he claimed to have treated during the 2009 war, despite the IDF's denial of deploying such munitions.
The surgeon pointed to a pattern of attacks on hospitals, describing the bombing of al-Ahli Arab Hospital as a "litmus test" for the IDF's plans. Following the attack, four pediatric hospitals were reportedly targeted. Abu-Sittah further highlighted recent strikes on al-Awda and Indonesian hospitals, along with the arrest of Shifa Hospital's director and several medics.
As medical supplies dwindled, Abu-Sittah described performing painful procedures without anaesthesia and cleaning wounds with store-bought washing liquid and vinegar. Patients faced infections with larvae, and eventually, essential surgeries became impossible.
Expressing a deep sense of guilt for those left behind, Abu-Sittah warned of a potential mass exodus from Gaza, fulfilling what he believes is Israel's desire for another 1948, referencing the Nakba.
The ongoing conflict, according to Abu-Sittah, is seen as a continuation of the historical Nakba, reflecting the deep-rooted tensions and humanitarian crises that persist in the region.