Gaza’s medics battle to save lives under Israeli bombardment

By Hani al-Shaer

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) - Alaa Shamout was struck and injured by an Israeli missile as he was moving injured Palestinians to a hospital in the Gaza Strip, he told Anadolu on Friday

“The ambulance was struck as I was moving people injured in Israeli attacks into the Nasser Medical Center in Khan Younis in southern Gaza on Oct. 7,” Shamout, 36, told Anadolu.

“I suffered shrapnel injuries in the attack,” he said

The paramedic said his colleague was killed along with other medics in the town of Khuza'a, highlighting that fact that medical personnel are targeted by Israel.

“I never imagined that ambulances would be attacked as the Israeli occupation already knows about our ambulance service,” he said. “Israel is still targeting the ambulance crews every day amid a staggering death toll in Gaza.”

The Palestinian medic is resolved to continue providing help to injured Palestinians under Israeli airstrikes, despite the risks.

“I will continue to do my work despite the growing threats against us,” said a determined Shamout. “I will not stop my work, and I will not abandon my national and moral duty."

Israel launched a relentless bombardment campaign on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Hamas on Israeli border towns on Oct. 7.

Hamas said its attack was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched a massive air campaign on Gaza, putting the territory’s 2.3 million residents under total siege and a blockade of food, fuel and medical supplies.

At least 4,137 Palestinians, including 1,524 children and 1,000 women have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza. That figure stands at more than 1,400 in Israel.