Dr. Ahmad Yousaf’s Medical Mission to Gaza
Dr. Ahmad Yousaf, a dedicated American pediatrician and the director of an intensive care unit in Arkansas, set out on a humanitarian mission to Gaza, driven by the belief that his medical expertise could significantly aid patients in need of advanced healthcare. However, upon his arrival, he confronted a harrowing reality that far surpassed his darkest fears, prompting him to meticulously document the widespread devastation he witnessed.
“The primary focus of my work there was triaging and managing mass casualties,” Dr. Yousaf explained. “This was not advanced I.C.U. care; often, we didn’t even reach that stage. Many patients succumbed to their injuries.”
Dr. Yousaf volunteered with MedGlobal, a nonprofit organization based in the United States that provides essential humanitarian relief across the globe. After spending three intense weeks at one of Gaza’s last operational hospitals, he expressed the profound impact of the ongoing conflict on both medical personnel and civilians, particularly the vulnerable children. He shared a detailed account of his experiences, including rare footage from within Al Aqsa Hospital in Deir al Balah, with The New York Times.
During his time at the hospital, the medical teams worked relentlessly to cope with the overwhelming influx of trauma cases as the Israeli military continued its bombardment of surrounding areas, including designated humanitarian zones. Operating well beyond the hospital’s intended capacity, staff frequently found themselves treating patients, many of whom were children, on makeshift beds created from cardboard on the floor. They faced a dire shortage of critical supplies, including blood, gauze, and anesthesia. Tragically, many patients died due to their untreated wounds.
“Decisions had to be made in a matter of seconds, and we did our utmost,” Dr. Yousaf recounted. “As time went on, I began to realize that my role was not merely that of a physician; it was to bear witness to these events.”
To keep his friends and family informed, Dr. Yousaf began sharing daily reflections via WhatsApp. One poignant entry from June 30 detailed a teenage boy who, after being extubated, uttered the heart-wrenching words: “Please let me call my dad. I just want to make sure he’s OK and knows I’m OK.”
According to officials in Gaza, at least 10,000 Palestinian children have lost their lives since the onset of the conflict, with countless others facing lifelong physical and psychological injuries. More than 500 healthcare workers have also been killed in the past nine months, as reported by international aid organizations.
Dr. Yousaf’s reflections capture the increasingly desperate situation unfolding in Gaza. On July 9, he poignantly wrote: “Every time I think it can’t get worse, it does.”
