In an interview with Ilke News Agency (ILKHA), General Surgery Specialist Opr. Dr. Ömer Faruk Aydoğan, who recently returned from Gaza, provided a harrowing account of the dire conditions and the unbreakable spirit of its people.

Dr. Aydoğan painted a grim picture of a region grappling with not only a profound humanitarian and health crisis but also a relentless blockade and warfare, yet standing as the world's epitome of patience, sacrifice, and generosity.

A Health System on the Brink

Dr. Aydoğan describes a healthcare system teetering on the edge of collapse. Hospitals, already stretched thin by Israeli attacks that target medical facilities and take health workers hostage, are overwhelmed. Emergency surgeries are prioritized, leaving many patients without treatment. The lack of antibiotics, medicine, and essential surgical equipment means that post-operative care is severely compromised, leading to infections and, tragically, deaths of patients waiting for their turn in surgery queues. "They are martyred while waiting for the operation queue," Dr. Aydoğan poignantly remarks, highlighting the dire situation where basic medical care becomes a matter of life and death.

The Human Cost of Genocide

The most heart-wrenching aspect of Israeli genocide conflict is its toll on the youngest and most innocent. Dr. Aydoğan notes that nearly half of the surgical patients are children, underscoring how war disproportionately affects the vulnerable. Despite the overwhelming adversity, the spirit of the Gazan people remains unbroken. They live in conditions of extreme scarcity yet exhibit an incredible resilience, sharing whatever little they have with others in an astonishing display of generosity.

A Crisis Beyond Health

The food crisis in Gaza is as severe as the health one. People survive on less than one meal a day, with many not having tasted meat for over a year, leading to a significant protein deficiency. The blockade has not only restricted food but also essentials like shoes and socks, leaving many, including children, to brave the cold without adequate protection. Dr. Aydoğan speaks of babies freezing to death due to lack of heating, a stark reminder of the human cost of geopolitical strife.

A Call for Increased Aid and Awareness

Aid does trickle into Gaza but in amounts far below what is needed. Dr. Aydoğan calls for international pressure on Israel to allow more aid into Gaza, suggesting that without it, starvation would claim even more lives. He advocates for a campaign to provide shoes and socks, a simple yet vital need in the harsh winter conditions.

The message from Gaza, as conveyed by Dr. Aydoğan, is clear: the people do not wish to be forgotten. They yearn for the world, especially the Muslim community, to keep their plight on the global agenda. They seek solidarity not just through aid but through the power of narrative - to speak out about the genocide, the occupation, the daily bombings by F16s, and the continuous massacres.

Responsibility of the Global Muslim Community

Dr. Aydoğan's experiences have imbued him with a mission to raise awareness. He plans to share his stories through various platforms in Türkiye—media, universities, and NGOs—to enlighten and mobilize public opinion. His goal is to foster a deeper connection between the people of Türkiye and Gaza, emphasizing that the doctors from around the Muslim world who volunteer in Gaza do more than just heal bodies; they heal spirits, giving hope and reinforcing the sense of community.

Gaza's demand is twofold: publicize the persecution and increase the aid. The resilience of its people in the face of such adversity stands as a stark contrast to the brutality they endure. Dr. Aydoğan's narrative is not just a call for aid but a plea for humanity to witness and act, to support Gaza in its struggle for dignity, peace, and survival. The story of Gaza is one of human endurance against all odds, a narrative that should compel us all to act, to remember, and to support the just cause of the Palestinian people. (ILKHA)