Raneem Hijazi and other patients from Gaza receive medical treatment at Hamad Hospital in Doha following severe injuries from Israeli airstrikes, highlighting challenges faced by survivors amidst ongoing conflict.
In Doha, Qatar, Raneem Hijazi and other patients from Gaza received medical treatment at Hamad Hospital following severe injuries from Israeli airstrikes. Hijazi, who suffered extensive injuries including the loss of an arm and significant damage to her legs, was caught under rubble during an airstrike on October 24, which also resulted in the death of her one-year-old son, Azzouz. Her daughter Mariam was delivered via cesarean section amidst the chaos, bringing hope amidst the tragedy.
The medical team in Doha, led by consultant orthopedic surgeon Dr. Hasan Abuhejleh, faces challenging cases of severe injuries and infections, exacerbated by delayed medical interventions which could have prevented some amputations. Over 4,800 people have been evacuated from Gaza for medical treatment since the conflict intensified on October 7, following Hamas attacks. However, the closure of Rafah Crossing has halted further medical evacuations, with 42% of requests denied by Israeli authorities as of May 10, according to the United Nations and aid agencies.
Patients like Shaimaa Al-Ghoul and Shahed Alqutati share similar stories of loss and survival. Al-Ghoul lost her husband and two children during an airstrike while Alqutati lost her husband and unborn child. They, along with other patients at Hamad Hospital, navigate their recovery distant from relatives, haunted by their experiences yet finding solace in shared stories of resilience. The hospital provides not only medical care but also a space for these survivors to process the grief of immeasurable personal losses amid ongoing conflict.