In brief
The death of Dr. Sayeed Joudeh, the last orthopaedic surgeon in northern Gaza, has intensified concerns regarding the dire medical situation in the region amid ongoing conflict and devastation.
Dr. Sayeed Joudeh, believed to be the last remaining orthopaedic surgeon in northern Gaza, has reportedly been killed by Israeli tank fire, according to Palestinian officials. The tragic incident occurred as he was en route to work at the Kamal Adwan Hospital on Thursday. Dr. Joudeh had been a vital resource at both the Kamal Adwan and al-Awda hospitals during the protracted conflict.The Israeli military has stated it is not aware of the event and is currently conducting an investigation. Witnesses have recounted conflicting reports regarding the cause of Dr. Joudeh's death, with some alleging he was targeted by a drone.Having come out of retirement to serve during this humanitarian crisis, Dr. Joudeh was frequently vocal about the dire conditions in Gaza. Just a month prior, he made headlines during a press conference at Kamal Adwan Hospital, brandishing a placard that read "Save US," highlighting the struggles faced by medical professionals in the area.Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, lamented the circumstances of Dr. Joudeh’s death, stating, "Unfortunately, he was killed instantly." The void left by Dr. Joudeh's passing is compounded by an already critical shortage of medical personnel in northern Gaza, with hospitals operating in dire conditions.Louise Wateridge from the main United Nations aid agency in Gaza expressed her condolences, noting the immense toll on Dr. Joudeh's family and the broader community. "Hospitals in the Gaza Strip are not hospitals anymore. There's no sanitation, hardly any doctors, and no medical equipment. Patients are dying needlessly," she stated, branding the humanitarian conditions in Gaza as "apocalyptic."For over two months, northern Gaza has been subjected to relentless Israeli siege and bombardment, fueled by claims of targeting Hamas operatives regrouping in the area. The violence erupted on October 7 of last year when Hamas launched a deadly assault in southern Israel, prompting a fierce Israeli military response.According to reports from the Hamas-run health ministry, the ongoing conflict has claimed the lives of at least 44,875 individuals and injured over 100,000, largely among civilians. The UN has deemed these statistics credible. Recent attacks have included a deadly strike on a post office being used as a shelter for displaced residents, resulting in the deaths of at least 30 individuals and injuring another 50. Local accounts reveal that many victims belonged to one extended family, igniting further outrage and distress among the residents of Gaza.The Israeli military has defended its actions as necessary to eliminate threats posed by militant groups, accusing them of using civilians as shields, complicating the already fragile humanitarian landscape in the region.
