In brief
Dr. Sayeed Joudeh, an orthopaedic surgeon who had come out of retirement to aid civilians during the ongoing conflict, was reportedly killed in an Israeli strike. This tragedy deepens the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where medical resources are critically scarce amid relentless bombings.
The last remaining orthopaedic surgeon in northern Gaza, Dr. Sayeed Joudeh, has been killed, according to Palestinian officials. His death occurred during an Israeli airstrike on Thursday while he was en route to the Kamal Adwan and al-Awda hospitals. The Israeli military stated they were unaware of the incident but launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding it. Dr. Joudeh, a grandfather who had come out of retirement to assist during the ongoing conflict, previously expressed his distress over the situation, holding a placard saying "Save US" during a press conference at Kamal Adwan Hospital last month. Eyewitness accounts vary regarding his death; some say he was directly hit by tank fire, while others believe he was shot down by a drone. Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital, stated, "Unfortunately, he was killed instantly." The humanitarian situation in Gaza has been described as devastating by Louise Wateridge from the United Nations aid agency, who stated that hospitals had deteriorated to the point where they were no longer functional due to lack of sanitation, doctors, and medical equipment. For over two months, northern Gaza has faced relentless bombardment and a siege by Israeli forces, with the military claiming its operations aim to target Hamas operatives regrouping in the area. The violence escalated after Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7 last year, resulting in significant casualties on both sides. As of now, the Hamas-run health ministry reports more than 44,875 people dead and over 100,000 injured in the ongoing conflict, figures the UN has deemed credible. Recent strikes have also caused casualties among displaced populations sheltering in makeshift locations.
