### Retired NHS Surgeon Recounts Harrowing Experience in Gaza

A retired NHS surgeon, Nizam Mamode, recently detailed his distressing experience treating children in Gaza, underscoring the severity of the conflict and its impact on civilians. Testifying before British MPs, Mamode shared that during his month-long stint at Nasser Hospital, he encountered an unrelenting wave of casualties, predominantly women and children, inflicted by deliberate drone strikes.

Mamode emphasized that the scale of violence in Gaza was unparalleled compared to other conflict zones he had worked in, including Rwanda during the genocide. He reported daily "mass casualty incidents," which involved 10 to 20 fatalities and up to 40 serious injuries, with at least 60 percent of the victims being women and children.

The surgeon recounted chilling accounts from young patients who reported being targeted by Israeli drones. One child described being shot by a quadcopter while lying on the ground after a bombing. Mamode's testimony provided a stark image of the relentless targeting of civilians, particularly children, by drones.

Mamode revealed that it was unsafe to travel around Gaza, prompting him to stay within the hospital compound. He recounted his biggest fear during his time there, which was being killed by Israeli forces. This fear was compounded by the deliberate bombing of Medical Aid for Palestine’s guest house by Israel in January, which Mamode believed was intended to deter aid workers.

Further highlighting the peril aid workers face, Mamode described how Israeli attacks on UN convoys, including one during his stay, created a highly dangerous environment. He was instructed to stay locked inside armored UN vehicles during travel, emphasizing the deliberate targeting by Israeli soldiers.

The surgeon also brought attention to the severe shortages of medical supplies, attributed to Israeli restrictions on aid. Basic necessities like sterile gloves, drapes, pain killers, soap, and shampoo were scarce, resulting in unhygienic and perilous conditions. Mamode recounted instances of maggots in wounds and flies in operating theaters, a grim reflection of the dire healthcare situation.

One particularly disturbing pattern Mamode observed was the precision of wounds caused by drones, suggesting the use of autonomous or semi-autonomous drones. The wounds inflicted were more destructive than typical gunfire, with pellets bouncing inside bodies causing extensive damage.

In his testimony, Mamode also addressed the presence of Hamas in Gaza hospitals. He laughed off the notion, noting that colleagues in Gaza assured him that Hamas fighters were not in the hospitals, but rather in hiding, and that there was a widespread disdain for Hamas among the local population.

Mamode's testimony paints a stark picture of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, spotlighting the severe impact on civilians and the critical challenges faced by medical personnel in conflict zones.