Dr. Sam Attar, a surgeon from Chicago, has recently returned from his third trip to Gaza since the start of the war.
His experiences in Gaza have left a lasting impact on him, with memories of suffering and desperation haunting him even after returning home to Chicago.
During his time in Gaza, Dr. Attar worked in hospitals that were severely lacking in resources and overwhelmed with wounded patients.
He encountered heartbreaking situations, including a mother grieving over the loss of her 10-year-old son and a man in his 50s who had lost everything and was left alone, screaming for help with maggots in his wounds.
Despite his extensive experience working in war zones like Ukraine, Syria, and Iraq, the scenes he witnessed in Gaza continue to weigh heavily on him. The dire situation in Gaza, particularly in the northern areas where malnutrition is rampant, has prompted international aid efforts.
The World Health Organization has warned of a looming famine, with alarming rates of malnutrition among children and catastrophic hunger affecting the majority of the population.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has raised concerns of humanitarian violations, with the UN Human Rights chief accusing Israel of using starvation as a method of war.
Israel has denied these allegations, citing flaws in the UN calculations and emphasizing the availability of food supplies in Gaza markets.
Dr. Attar’s encounters with patients, such as a severely malnourished woman who could not be saved and a traumatized seven-year-old girl suffering from cystic fibrosis, highlight the devastating impact of the war on innocent civilians.
Despite the challenges of providing aid in Gaza, Dr. Attar remains committed to returning to help those in need.
His experiences have forged strong bonds with the people of Gaza, from the paramedic who risked his life to save others to the doctor who showed compassion in the midst of loss and suffering.
Dr. Attar’s dedication to providing assistance in Gaza reflects a profound sense of duty and humanity in the face of unimaginable hardship.
