Gaza doctors express relief, but remain concerned for the future after ceasefire

Monday 20 January 2025 - 17:05

Following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that ended over 15 months of conflict, healthcare workers in Gaza, like Dr. Jamal Salaha, felt a sense of relief as the influx of casualties into hospitals slowed. Dr. Salaha, a general practitioner at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah, noted that it was the first time in over a year that the hospital's emergency department wasn’t overwhelmed by victims of violence. The ceasefire came after 471 days of continuous attacks, which claimed more than 47,000 lives and left over 111,000 injured.

Dr. Salaha had been working at Gaza City’s Al-Shifa Hospital when the conflict began in October 2023. Forced to relocate to Al-Aqsa Hospital due to the intensity of the fighting, he continued treating patients under dire conditions, often without sufficient medical resources. “We performed surgeries in makeshift conditions, lacking gloves, adequate medication, and ventilators,” Salaha recalled.

While the ceasefire brought a much-needed pause to the fighting, Dr. Salaha remains cautious about the future, acknowledging the widespread destruction in Gaza and the severe impact on the healthcare system. Despite the brief relief, he warned that the hospitals are still in chaos, with many operating under minimal capacity. The World Health Organization reported that only half of Gaza's hospitals remain partially operational, with many health centers severely damaged.

In the aftermath of the ceasefire, some violence continued in isolated areas. However, the situation in most parts of Gaza seemed calm, although medical workers are concerned about the continued challenges, such as the lack of medical supplies and the long-term rebuilding of healthcare infrastructure.