A British surgeon who worked in war-torn Gaza has revealed the horrific conditions he witnessed, describing scenes where children lay dying on hospital floors amid constant explosions and gunfire.
The Daily Reality of Death and Destruction
Dr Mohammed Tahir, a 40-year-old award-winning surgeon who trained at London's King's College Hospital, documented his final four-month stint in Gaza in the new 90-minute film The Mission. The former NHS doctor recalled the heartbreaking moment he assessed critically injured children, mentally noting: "This kid is dying... this kid is probably going to die... this kid is dying as well... and this kid is probably gonna die too."
Dr Tahir, who grew up in Queen's Park, west London after being born in Wales, described how medical staff became so accustomed to death that it became routine. He remembered one colleague's reaction after confirming a child had died: "Oh, is he dead? OK... God have mercy on his soul" before the body was taken to the morgue.
Evidence of War Crimes and Systematic Destruction
The surgeon reported working gruelling shifts from 8am until 5am the next day, adopting the motto: "Until the rise of dawn." He described hospitals repeatedly hit by Israeli attacks, both from the air and ground forces, claiming soldiers deliberately sabotaged medical equipment.
"Why would you put a bullet in a device other than just to render it completely useless?" Dr Tahir questioned. "You're trying to literally wipe out or eliminate any possibility of providing healthcare."
He believes he uncovered evidence of war crimes, repeatedly discovering perfectly square pieces of tungsten used in Israeli bombs and removing bullets from children's heads. "The use of these weapons, which kill indiscriminately, and maim indiscriminately, is a war crime, no doubt about it," he stated.
From Trauma to Hope: Establishing a New Charity
Despite the overwhelming horror, Dr Tahir helped save countless lives, including performing a historic medical first in Gaza by reattaching the completely detached arm of nine-year-old Mariam. Although complications later required amputation, Mariam has since been evacuated to Egypt and is recovering well.
The experience has permanently changed Dr Tahir, inspiring him to establish his own charity to help victims of war. "I've seen the two extremes of humanity," he reflected. "The most loving, most resilient, most compassionate, kindest version of human existence. And the extreme opposite, the most destructive, the most vengeful, most murderous."
He added: "I cannot just go about my normal life. I have to continue to help."
The documentary The Mission, directed by Mike Lerner of Roast Beef Productions, will have its UK premiere on November 23 at The Curzon in Soho as part of the London Palestine Film Festival, with a UK-wide release planned for early 2026.
