Irish-based surgeon says family in Gaza relieved to be safe but uncertain for future

ireland
Irish-Based Surgeon Says Family In Gaza Relieved To Be Safe But Uncertain For Future
Dr Mahmoud Abumarzouq lost his youngest brother, as well as a brother-in-law and elderly uncle in two separate missile attacks during the war.
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Louise Walsh

An Irish-based orthopaedic surgeon said the ceasefire in Gaza has left his family relieved but uncertain for the future as they face returning to homes that were flattened by bombs.

Dr Mahmoud Abumarzouq lost his youngest brother, as well as a brother-in-law and elderly uncle in two separate missile attacks during the war.

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The rest of his family were forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in displacement tents in Khan-Younis in the southern part of the country.

Now he is preparing to launch a book with detailed accounts from over 30 international doctors of their attempts to treat people in hospitals, devoid of medication and equipment.

The surgeon at Our Lady's Hospital in Navan, Co. Meath says his family, especially the children, are constantly asking for reassurance to their safety.

"My family are feeling a bit safer in a very devastating situation. Aid is a little bit more accessible and food is a bit cheaper, though still very expensive due to demand and supply.

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"Of course, they are very happy all the violence has stopped but all their houses are gone. The destruction they have seen is unimaginable.

"They are forever scarred by this, especially the children of my family, most of whom are between four and sixteen years old.

"They are in shock. They don't know what to do. They keep asking if they are safe, and for how long. The future is uncertain."

Dr Mahmoud said his niece wanted to become a doctor, like her uncle but her university was destroyed.

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"The people and the children are strong and resilient. Even in the tented villages, they put a few tents together and set up schools to keep the children educated.

"I downloaded lessons to teach a final year medical student so she could study them if and when she got access to the internet and my sister who is a microbiologist finished her PhD in a tent!"

Infrastructure has been destroyed and so many of the roads back to Rafah are unsafe to travel and even when Dr Mahmoud's family can return to their hometown, there will be nothing left there.

"The roads have been bombed, the buildings long gone. My dad is in his 70s and the two houses he built are gone. He is fearful how he will build again.

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"My family are close and if there are ever problems, everyone returns to the homeplace. There is no homeplace any more at the minute.

"They haven't even been able to grieve properly for my brother and family members who we have lost.

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"Governments need to unite and help the people to rebuild. Buildings can be constructed again but social, psychological problems and post traumatic stress cases will soar. These are their scars for life."

"The insecurity they face is heavily in their minds, it is overwhelming and while they may be able to sleep without the noise of constant drones overhead, they now have the fear of silence in a land of rubble."

Dr Mahmoud is now planning on launching a book in the coming months with detailed accounts from over 30 doctors and the conditions they worked in during this war.

"It is called 'The Diary of a Surgeon: A Testimony of Genocide' and it has accounts from over 30 international doctors from Europe, UK, US and middle east who came to help and work in conditions where there were no supplies or medical treatments to work with."

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