CAIRO: One of the biggest misconceptions portrayed by the media during the War on Gaza is showing Hamas as the oppressor of Palestinians, according to Egyptian doctors who recently visited the area.
“There is no Hamas versus the people. They were all united, all the differences dissolved once the war started and the only thing that mattered was Palestine, Dr Ahmed Hazem Helmy, professor and head of the department of general surgery at Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, said.
Helmy was one of 25 Egyptian doctors who joined a caravan of physicians from the Arab Doctors Union and headed to Gaza, offering medical assistance to the thousands injured.
“The minute the war began I made my decision, there was no room for discussing it with anyone, he said. At the time, the Arab Doctors Union was recruiting volunteer specialists in neurosurgery, general surgery, plastic surgery, vascular surgery and orthopedic surgery. Helmy signed up immediately.
Another member of the caravan, Dr Mohamed Waleed Abdel Hamid, said, “This is the first time Egyptian doctors go into Gaza during a time of war since 1976, so you can’t imagine how ecstatic the [Palestinian] people were.
With their skills and equipment in hand, the doctors were technically ready to cross over into the war zone, but nothing could prepare them for what they were about to see.
“The word aggression is a polite description of what was going on, said Helmy, “What was done by the Israelis was even worse than war crimes.
One of the main differences between the facts on the ground and what the media reported was the death toll. “Many weren’t reported, others are [still] beneath the rubbles and there were definitely those whose bodies were destroyed in the explosions, said the doctors.
But the greatest discrepancy was in the number of Israelis who died, they said.
“Many Israelis died during this war but their government wouldn’t announce it so that they won’t be pressured by public opinion in Israel, said Abdel Hamid, recalling one incident in which 25 IDF soldiers died.
Israel launched Operation Cast Lead on Dec. 27, and according to media reports, 1,300 Palestinians and 13 Israelis were killed.
Medical assistance
The number of those injured was much higher, and doctors were lined up at the border to offer medical assistance to the people of Gaza.
“The arrival of 25 Egyptian doctors from the Arab Doctors Union raised their [the Palestinians] moral and self-esteem, they were looking up to us like heroes. The only thing that disappointed them was how they weren’t able to invite us into their houses and extend their hospitality.
“Walking down the streets of Khan Younis in Gaza, people kept pointing at us and asking, ‘You’re an Egyptian doctor?’ recalled Helmy.
The war on Gaza had dire social and financial repercussions. Among many struggles during the 22-day offensive, people had no change of clothes and food, if it was available, was meager. Despite the circumstances, said the doctors, the Palestinian people managed to stay strong and hold on to their faith.
“We thought that we could soothe and comfort the people of Gaza, but it was the other way around, said Helmy.
The doctors were stationed at the European Hospital in Gaza where everyone was working round the clock, up to 72 hours without a minute of sleep, said Helmy.
Inside the hospital, all was under control and everything was managed perfectly, said the doctors.
“Dr Abdel Latif El Hajj, the manager of the hospital, is highly skilled and talented, and he made sure people got their salaries, had enough food, that the equipment and drugs were available and that patients were taken care of, said Helmy.
There were a sufficient number of doctors and nurses at the hospitals, the majority of which were Palestinians, they said.
“Palestinian doctors are well-trained particularly in dealing with war injuries, their only weak point may be the fact that, due to the siege, they [don’t have access to] medical education, courses and seminars that a practicing doctor attends to stay updated, said Helmy.
The hospital accommodated more than 200 patients during the war. “The cases admitted into the hospital during the war suffered deadly war injuries.the weapons used are extremely lethal that whoever did not die from the injury would live handicapped, explains Helmy.
“During the daily three hours when firing stopped, many old people and children were brought in, they were suffering from serious injuries, he said, compounded by the fact that they were delayed in getting to the hospital.
“We didn’t get to see anyone from the resistance as they remained on the war front and even if they were wounded they didn’t seek medical help, added Helmy.
During their stay, from Saturday Jan. 10 until Sunday Jan. 18, they were continuously hearing bombing and rocket fire, but felt safe inside the European Hospital, which was built by the European Union.
“The agency that built the hospital was the only thing protecting it during this war, one time a rocket landed very close. We all said whoever shot it was off target, but they told us that it was the opposite, that the rocket landing there is to tell us that they can bomb the hospital but they aren’t go to, he said.
On a final note, Helmy said: “Palestine is a very strong nation, they have their own beliefs just like the Israelis..they have been dealing with [those assaults] for the past 60 years.
“The fundamental cornerstone for all negotiations should be that these are two parties, each has its own agenda and beliefs; but while one party has been taking a lot, the other is getting nothing. The Palestinians have the right to have their own state and government and freedom.
