In Gaza, the situation is dire and dangerous, especially for those trying to help. A recent Israeli airstrike hit a crowded market in Gaza City while people were waiting in line for flour. The aftermath was horrific, with medics rushing to pick up body parts and transport the injured. The scene was chaotic, with blood staining the concrete and the sounds of sirens filling the air.
Sky News has been following emergency crews working at Shifa Hospital, the largest medical facility in Gaza. This hospital has faced repeated attacks, and now, it struggles with a shortage of paramedics and ambulances. Fuel is running low, and the equipment is outdated. Medics are working in one of the most hazardous environments in the world, where they themselves are often targets.
Hamdallah Ali Daher, a paramedic from Jabalia Camp, described the constant threat they face. He shared how drones hover above while they respond to strikes, making their work even more perilous. "We go out risking life and limb," he said. "We carry our coffins with us." His colleague, Alaa al-Hadidi, was killed by a drone strike last December, highlighting the risks these medics take daily.
Another paramedic, Wael Eleywa, has been working throughout the ongoing conflict, now lasting over 600 days. He expressed the emotional toll of witnessing the suffering of children. "After a mission, you begin to imagine the injured children as your own relatives," he said. The memories of these traumatic experiences linger long after the calls for help have ended.
Eleywa recalled responding to scenes where tents caught fire after airstrikes, with children trapped inside. He lamented, "There’s no mental peace in this job," but he knows the work must continue. The war has severely weakened Gaza’s emergency response system, with many hospitals no longer operational and roads often unsafe.
The paramedics face a grim reality where there are no clear protocols. Eleywa noted that the ongoing conflict does not distinguish between civilians and medical personnel. Even with permits to operate, they risk being detained or targeted.
Daher echoed the need for protection, urging people and organizations to recognize the dangers medics face. Despite the horror of their work, he emphasized the importance of supporting one another. "Before the strikes, we’re often together laughing, trying to lift each other up," he said. "Then the call comes, and we go."
The medics’ resilience shines through as they continue their vital work, knowing that each shift could be their last. Eleywa summarized their grim reality: "In this field of work, we prepare for the worst, and go. Safety is out of reach."