In a heart-wrenching account, Dr. Ali Elaydi, a Palestinian-American orthopaedic surgeon, describes the anguish of being denied re-entry to Gaza amid a raging conflict that has left hospitals overwhelmed and under attack. Watching helplessly from his home in Texas, Dr. Elaydi calls for an immediate medical ceasefire to allow doctors to treat the wounded and protect healthcare facilities.
A Humanitarian Mission Thwarted
Dr. Elaydi had intended to cross into Gaza from Jordan in late June 2024 for a humanitarian medical mission. However, less than two days before the planned border crossing, Israeli authorities denied him entry “due to Palestinian roots,” despite having raised no objections during his previous mission in April.
The refusal left Dr. Elaydi stranded, unable to join his colleagues at the European Hospital in Gaza, where conditions resembled a war zone. The 200-bed facility was inundated with 500 critically injured patients, yet the medical staff prevailed against the odds to deliver life-saving care.
Bearing Witness to a Healthcare Crisis
During his April mission, Dr. Elaydi witnessed firsthand the dire need for medical practitioners in Gaza. Hospitals served as havens for thousands of displaced civilians, with makeshift tents lining every corridor. Faced with impossible conditions, surgeons were forced to perform short-term fixes to keep patients mobile in case they needed to flee, leading to preventable long-term damage.
“If my patients didn’t die from the initial injury, many of them would probably die from an infection later. The postoperative infection rate is roughly 80%,” Dr. Elaydi reveals, highlighting the grim realities of providing medical care in a conflict zone.
A Plea for a Medical Ceasefire
Guided by the Hippocratic Oath to “do no harm,” Dr. Elaydi calls for a medical ceasefire comprising three key principles:
- Bombardment of hospitals must be a diplomatic red line
- No hospitals in Gaza should be forced to evacuate
- Medical supplies and clinicians must be allowed to enter Gaza
He appeals to the shared values of Christian charity, Muslim zakat, and Jewish tzedakah, emphasizing the moral obligation to render aid to those most in need. Dr. Elaydi urges leaders on all sides to recognize that a medical ceasefire is a vital policy goal.
“As long as there are medical practitioners who want to do everything we can, for whomever we can, with whatever means we have, I know that miracles will continue to happen. But I understand we also need real-world solutions, political solutions; not simply optimism in the face of death,” Dr. Elaydi reflects.
A Call to Action
The harrowing account of Dr. Elaydi serves as a powerful reminder of the human toll of conflict and the critical importance of protecting healthcare in times of war. His plea for a medical ceasefire transcends politics, appealing to our shared humanity and the fundamental right of all individuals to receive medical care.
As the international community grapples with the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Dr. Elaydi’s story underscores the urgent need for concrete action to safeguard hospitals, medical personnel, and the lives they strive to save. The time for a medical ceasefire is now, before more lives are needlessly lost.
