A British NHS surgeon has returned from Gaza with a chilling account of what he describes as 'slaughter on an industrial scale' at the territory's overwhelmed hospitals.
Chris Hughes, an intensive care doctor from Bristol, spent two weeks working at Al-Aqsa Hospital in central Gaza, where he witnessed catastrophic conditions and medical staff struggling to cope with endless waves of casualties.
'The Scale of Injury is Unimaginable'
Dr Hughes reported treating patients with horrific injuries from airstrikes and shelling, with many victims being women and children. The doctor described the emergency department as constantly flooded with new casualties, creating a scene of chaos and desperation.
'We saw everything from major burns, traumatic amputations, to severe head injuries and multiple fragment wounds,' Hughes stated. 'The medical staff are working in impossible conditions with limited supplies and constant security threats.'
Healthcare System on Brink of Collapse
The British medic detailed how Gaza's healthcare infrastructure has been pushed to its absolute limits:
- Critical shortages of essential medical supplies and pain relief
- Overwhelmed surgical teams operating around the clock
- Patients being treated on floors due to bed shortages
- Regular power outages complicating life-saving procedures
A Plea for International Action
Dr Hughes expressed grave concern about the deteriorating situation, emphasising that the hospital was frequently dangerously close to active conflict zones. He called for immediate international intervention to protect medical facilities and ensure safe passage for humanitarian aid.
'What I witnessed will stay with me forever,' the British doctor concluded. 'The world cannot stand by while this humanitarian catastrophe unfolds. We need an immediate ceasefire and proper access for medical aid.'
The doctor's testimony comes as international organisations continue to warn about the rapidly worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, with medical facilities bearing the brunt of the ongoing conflict.
