DeepSummary
This episode features an interview with two American doctors, Adam Hamawy and Mohammed Abdel Fattah, who were in Gaza working at the European Hospital during the recent escalation of violence between Israel and Palestinian militants. They describe the harrowing scenes they witnessed, including treating numerous severely injured civilians, especially children, as a result of Israeli airstrikes and artillery attacks.
Dr. Hamawy, a former U.S. Army combat surgeon, and two of his colleagues decided to stay behind even after other American and British medical staff were evacuated, feeling it would be unfair to leave their Palestinian colleagues. As the Israeli military advanced on the city of Rafa near the hospital, the staff began fleeing out of fear the hospital would become a target.
After pressure from U.S. officials, Dr. Hamawy and his remaining colleagues were eventually granted safe passage out of Gaza into Jordan. However, they express frustration that more is not being done by the U.S. government to stop the violence and protect civilians in Gaza, calling on President Biden to intervene.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Two American doctors witnessed firsthand the devastating toll of Israeli attacks on civilians in Gaza while working at a hospital there.
- Despite orders for international staff to evacuate, the two doctors chose to stay behind with their Palestinian colleagues until eventually being granted safe passage out.
- They recount treating severe injuries, including burns, amputations, and gunshot wounds, with many of the victims being children.
- The doctors harshly criticize the U.S. government's military support for Israel's offensive and call on President Biden to intervene to stop the violence.
- Their accounts provide a sobering glimpse into the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza due to the bombardment.
- The episode highlights the moral dilemma faced by the doctors in deciding whether to evacuate or remain in solidarity with local staff.
- It raises questions about the U.S. role and culpability in enabling the Israeli offensive through its supply of weapons and political support.
- The doctors' pleas underscore the need for accountability and action from the U.S. government to protect civilian lives in Gaza.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “The number of mass casualties that came in was much higher. And I think it's due to, you know, the artillery, the airstrikes that are coming in and eliminating houses and families at a time as well as their neighbors and the people surrounding it.“ by Adam Hamawy
- “It's laughable. Like, we know that this is an american war, supplied by american weapons, green lighted by the american president, continuously supplied, rearmed throughout the past six, seven months. We know that the american President Biden can stop this as soon as he makes one phone call. Like, he can end this whenever he wants.“ by Mohammed Abdel Fattah
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Episode Information
The Take
Al Jazeera
5/23/24
The European Hospital is one of the few medical facilities still functioning in Gaza, but now the staff has shrunk significantly with the departure of international doctors. We spoke to two American doctors about the atrocities they witnessed and the colleagues they had to leave behind.
In this episode:
- Dr. Adam Hamawy, Former US Army Combat Trauma Surgeon
- Dr. Mohamad Abdelfattah, Palestinian-American ICU Doctor
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Tabish Talib and Sarí el-Khalili, with Ashish Malhotra, Tamara Khandaker, Manahil Naveed and our host Malika Bilal.
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik and Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer.
Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio.
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