A French doctor who recently returned from working in Gaza has described the situation there as “indescribable horror,” highlighting the catastrophic impact of Israel's ongoing military operations since October 7, 2023. The doctor, Pascal André, who worked at the European Hospital in Khan Younis, shared his harrowing experiences in an interview with Anadolu Agency, painting a grim picture of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the besieged enclave.
André recounted witnessing countless casualties, including children with fatal head injuries caused by Israeli gunfire. “We saw children and adults arrive at the hospital with devastating injuries,” he said. “Some were already lifeless; others were clinging to the last threads of life.”
He also described scenes of terror within the hospital itself. “We witnessed displaced civilians who had sought refuge in the hospital being burned and killed by bombings,” he said. “It was a nightmare that no one could escape.”
André reported that Gaza’s healthcare system is on the verge of complete collapse. “Most hospitals are no longer operational due to relentless bombings,” he explained. "Even as international pressure mounts, injured civilians are unable to leave Gaza for treatment abroad, leaving between 12,000 and 16,000 wounded with little to no access to adequate care."
He added that makeshift evacuations of critically ill patients from northern Gaza to the south were carried out under appalling conditions. “This was done in a way that shocked even the most seasoned medical professionals.”
Since the Israeli genocide, Gaza has been devastated by what André described as systematic destruction. Over 145,000 Palestinians have been killed or injured, with children and women bearing the brunt of the casualties. More than 10,000 people remain missing amid the rubble, and widespread famine has claimed the lives of many children and the elderly.
André revealed that key medical facilities, including the courtyard of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, had been bombarded. "The bombing spared no one, not even patients or healthcare workers," he lamented.
Despite repeated calls from the United Nations Security Council and the International Court of Justice to cease hostilities and improve the dire humanitarian situation, the violence continues unabated. “The world watches in silence as this genocide unfolds,” said André, expressing frustration at the lack of effective action from global powers.
André, along with other medical professionals who served in Gaza, has submitted evidence of war crimes to the International Criminal Court and South African legal teams. Their testimonies include video recordings, audio evidence, and medical documentation of the atrocities.
André emphasized that the issue transcends religious and national divides. “This is not about Muslims or Christians—it is about humanity itself,” he said. He urged world leaders to uphold international laws and human rights principles, stating, “If we are truly human, we cannot remain silent about what is happening in Gaza.”
Despite the horrors, André noted the resilience of Gaza’s people. “Palestinians have only one request: to live like humans,” he said. “They told us they want to farm their land, worship in peace, and feed their families—basic rights that have been stripped away.”
The French doctor concluded his remarks with a powerful call to action: “If we believe in justice, we must hold those responsible accountable—not just for the acts of violence but for the silence that enables these atrocities to persist.”
As the world continues to grapple with the mounting toll in Gaza, Dr. André’s testimony serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for international intervention to halt the suffering and restore dignity to a people under siege and genocide.
Image caption: Dr. Pascal Andre, Paris / Esra Taşkin / Anadolu Agency