NHS consultant surgeon Doctor Abdel Hammad, who is trapped in Gaza, told Sky News Tuesday of his team’s efforts to evacuate and his concerns for supplies, as the intensity of the Israeli retaliation continues.
Hammad reached Gaza on Friday having journeyed there to aid in performing transplants, particularly kidney transplants, and to lend a hand in a region where healthcare services frequently face severe strain. He is employed by the National Health Service and is typically based at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
Merely hours post his arrival, the Saturday assault on Israel was initiated by Hamas militants, with reciprocal attacks on Gaza ensuing shortly after.
He described the increasingly dire circumstances facing residents as Israeli strikes pound Gaza and the “complete siege” promised by Israeli authorities comes into effect.
Hammad said: “At the moment we’re in the shelter. We have electricity and internet and food and water. But my colleagues, who are at their home, or in other relatives or neighbours’ homes, they don’t have electricity, they don’t have water and the supplies are very scarce here.”