Dr. Fayez Abed from Al Awda Hospital in northern Gaza shares a harrowing account of the conditions faced by patients and medical staff under the ongoing threat of bombings. On October 20, 2023, we had spoken with the director of the hospital, Dr. Ahmed Muhanna. Since his abduction on December 17, 2023 by Israeli occupation forces, no information about his fate has been available.

Interview with Lode Vanoost

On October 20, 2023, we managed a live WhatsApp call with Dr. Ahmed Muhanna, director of Al Awda Hospital in northern Gaza. Despite poor sound and video quality, the communication worked (you can watch our conversation on the second video of this article).  

Two months later, on 17 December 2023, Dr. Muhanna was abducted by Israeli occupation forces. Since then, there has been no information about his fate, health, or whereabouts. Several other medical colleagues have also been abducted, some of whom died under suspicious circumstances after severe torture, while others were tortured and later released. Their situation remains as uncertain as Dr. Muhanna’s. 

One year later, direct conversations are no longer possible due to the destruction of transmission antennas and communication equipment by the occupation forces. Dr. Fayez Abed, who continues working at Al Awda Hospital, communicates minimally via his mobile phone near an open window—which is life-threatening because of Israeli sniper fire targeting anyone visible.  

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Photo shows Drs. Muhanna and Abed caring for an infant and staff mourning three colleagues executed by occupation forces.  

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The interview was conducted in phases: questions were sent via WhatsApp, and Dr. Abed responded in brief text messages in Spanish, a language he learned while studying medicine in Cuba. His answers were compiled and translated.

Concerns About Dr. Ahmed Muhanna  

There are many reasons to worry about the abducted Dr. Ahmed Muhanna. Is he still alive? If so, in what conditions is he being held? What is his health status? We asked Dr. Abed for an update on this and the current situation at Al Awda Hospital.  

Dr. Fayez Abed:

“There has been no official information about Dr. Ahmed Muhanna since his abduction on 17 December  2023.”  

Dr. Abed describes critical shortages:

“Al Awda Hospital faces a series of problems, the most critical being the lack of medicines, medical supplies, food, and fuel for the generator, as well as insufficient medical staff. Despite repeated pleas from the Red Cross and the World Health Organization sourced from the hospital administration, the occupation forces have refused to coordinate the delivery of basic necessities during more than 41 days of siege.”  

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The staff bids farewell to three colleagues executed by the occupying army

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Regarding electricity: “We only use the generator for life-saving surgeries.”  

All departments are overcrowded.

“For the first time, Al Awda Hospital has placed extra beds in hallways. We have around 56 patients with companions and receive 70 to 150 patients daily in reception and emergency, most of whom are women and children. Some require admission for emergency surgeries.”  

Interview with doctor Ahmed Muhanna on October 20, 2023 (11:29, English, no subtitles)

Staff Shortages: 

Dr. Abed reports:

“We have one surgeon performing life-saving procedures, four obstetricians handling emergency gynecological operations, three emergency physicians, and two anesthesiologists. Including all staff—doctors, nurses, and support services—we have 69 employees. This is only 45% of the original 157 health personnel before October 7, 2023.”  

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A wounded child does not give up hope 

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“The occupation forces repeatedly threatened us with evacuating the hospital, but we refused and remained steadfast amid bombings and sniper fire to save what remains of our people in northern Gaza.”  

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A seriously injured child is carried in

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The Belgian NGO Viva Salud supports Al Awda Hospital and three other healthcare facilities in Gaza through projects recognized by Belgium’s Ministry of Development Cooperation.  

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Featured image: C-section with flashlight on the head (doctor Fayez Abed). All photos: Al Awda

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