In a heart-wrenching revelation, a Palestinian surgeon working for the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) has shared the harrowing plight of his elderly parents trapped in the besieged Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza. The dire situation came to light when the surgeon, identified only as Mohammad, treated British MP Layla Moran for sepsis.
Mohammad, who has dedicated 20 years of his life to serving the British public through the NHS, grew up in the Jabalia camp. Now, his parents and sister find themselves caught in the crosshairs of an escalating Israeli offensive that has claimed hundreds of Palestinian lives in recent weeks.
A Shared Palestinian Heritage and Tragedy
During her recovery, Moran discovered that she and Mohammad shared more than just a doctor-patient relationship; they both had Palestinian roots. Moran’s Christian Palestinian relatives faced a similar ordeal last year when they were trapped in Gaza City’s Holy Family church complex for over two months.
The oldest member of Moran’s family died due to the inability to access medical care, while two women sheltering in the church were shot dead by Israeli forces when they ventured outside. The killings drew condemnation from Pope Francis, who highlighted the presence of sick and disabled individuals among those seeking refuge.
Awaiting Death in Jabalia
Mohammad’s parents, both in frail health, are unable to evacuate the Jabalia camp. His mother suffers from diabetes and hypertension, while his father is weakened after a colon removal surgery. Israeli drones constantly patrol the streets, and gunfire erupts whenever residents attempt to open their windows.
“Every minute of the day, you hear the shooting. You hear the bombing over the phone. It’s indescribable, the terror. You’re just waiting to die,” Mohammad recounted in a chilling description of his family’s ordeal.
Last weekend, Mohammad’s aunt and cousin fell victim to an Israeli strike on Jabalia. His sister, the last remaining resident on her street, narrowly escaped death when the house next door was flattened two weeks ago.
A Plea for Humanity
Moran raised Mohammad’s case in parliament, urging the UK government to impress upon Israel that sick, elderly civilians and their caregivers are not legitimate targets of war. Mohammad, who has saved countless British lives, made an impassioned plea: “Don’t use my tax money to support, in any shape or form, a genocidal government that is killing my own people.”
As the Israeli siege tightens its grip on Gaza, the fate of Mohammad’s parents and countless other vulnerable Palestinians hangs in the balance. The international community must heed their calls for humanity and work towards a just and lasting resolution to this devastating conflict.
