Palestinian doctors graduate in ruins of Gaza’s destroyed al-Shifa Hospital

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Gaza’s Medical System Faces Devastating Toll Amid Ongoing Conflict

A ceremony was held at the site of the destroyed al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City to mark the graduation of 168 Palestinian doctors who have completed their advanced medical certifications. The event took place amidst the rubble of what was once the territory’s largest hospital, which has been repeatedly targeted by Israel since its war began in October 2023.

The graduates, known as the “Humanity Cohort,” studied and sat for examinations while working nonstop inside Gaza’s hospitals during two years of intense conflict. Some were injured, arrested, or had family members killed. The ceremony included empty chairs displaying photographs of healthcare workers who lost their lives during the war.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Israel has launched 825 attacks on healthcare facilities since October 2023, resulting in the deaths of 985 people and injuries to approximately 2,000 others. The WHO has also documented 1,722 healthcare workers killed in Israeli strikes over the past two years.

The destruction of al-Shifa Medical Complex is part of a broader systematic campaign against Gaza’s healthcare system. As of mid-December, only 18 of the territory’s 36 hospitals remain partially functional, with many operating under severe limitations. Over 18,500 critically ill patients require medical evacuation that remains largely inaccessible.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health has reported that at least 70,942 Palestinians have been killed and 171,195 injured since October 2023. The UN Human Rights Office has identified a pattern in Israeli operations against hospitals, including initial air strikes, ground troop sieges, raids employing heavy machinery, mass detentions, forced evacuations, and withdrawal.

The Gaza Ministry of Health notes that violations continue despite a ceasefire announced this October. The graduation ceremony serves as a symbol of resilience among Palestinian healthcare workers who have continued to provide medical care despite the extreme circumstances.

Source: Al Jazeera