A British doctor in Gaza is calling on world leaders to take action as the humanitarian crisis worsens. Dr. Tom Potokar, who has described the situation in Gaza as a “slaughterhouse,” is part of a team of British doctors providing medical care in Khan Younis. He shared that people are starving and the destruction is overwhelming.
Dr. Potokar and his colleagues are working in two of the last operational hospitals in southern Gaza, Nasser and Amal hospitals. These facilities are struggling to cope with a constant influx of wounded patients. All the patients they see are malnourished, with children suffering the most due to the lack of food and clean water.
The situation is dire. Hospitals have been attacked during the ongoing conflict, and many medical supplies are running low. Dr. Potokar noted that the blockade has made it nearly impossible for food and medical aid to reach those in need. He compared Khan Younis to Stalingrad, highlighting the extensive destruction he has witnessed since his last visit shortly after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
The doctors on the ground are facing their own challenges. They sleep in cramped quarters within the hospital and have only one meal a day, consisting of a meager 400 calories. The blockade has lasted for 11 weeks, severely impacting everyone in the area.
Dr. Potokar recently had to evacuate from the European hospital after it came under missile fire. He is now working at Amal hospital, where he continues to see the devastating effects of the conflict. He emphasized the drastic change in conditions since his previous visit, noting the increased intensity of the violence and the scarcity of resources.
The United Nations has reported that 100 aid trucks were cleared to enter Gaza, but urgent help is still needed. Dr. Potokar warned that without immediate action, thousands of babies could die within days due to the lack of supplies.
As the Israeli military operation intensifies, the doctors are prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice. They have gathered essential supplies, but the remaining hospitals are already overwhelmed. Nasser hospital is one of the last facilities with an operational ICU in southern Gaza, and its closure would leave many without critical care.
Dr. Potokar’s message is clear: world leaders need to stop talking and start acting to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The situation is urgent, and the lives of countless individuals hang in the balance.