The Hippocratic Oath is a vital part of medical practice, which has been a tradition for over two millennia. Medical graduates worldwide swear to this oath, pledging to save lives, provide healing, and give hope to their patients. However, the current circumstances in the Gaza Strip tell a different tale – a tale that contradicts the very essence of the Hippocratic Oath.
The Gaza Strip has transformed into a hub of terrorism, with local doctors turning a deaf ear to the atrocities happening around them. The events before and after Black Saturday – a day marked by intense and brutal terrorist activities, reveal a grim picture. The Israeli abductees were subjected to inhuman treatment in the tunnels beneath the hospital wards. These innocent victims experienced torture, starvation, and brutality for months on end. The doctors, who have taken an oath to protect and heal, were aware of the atrocities but chose to remain silent.
The recent activities of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) at the Nasser Hospital have brought to light some shocking revelations. They found pieces of evidence related to the brutal campaign that occurred in the lower part of Gaza, especially beneath the hospitals that were used as human shields. The horrific conditions included poor hygiene, lack of ventilation, the spread of infectious diseases, and continuous physical and mental abuse endured by the abductees.
In a shocking revelation, piles of unopened medicines labeled with the names of intended patients were discovered. This discovery underscores the abductees’ plight – they were left to starve and suffer in the cold without any medical care. Many of these abductees suffer from life-threatening diseases like diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and endocrine diseases. The harsh conditions of their captivity have only worsened their health conditions.
It is hard to believe that the doctors, working floors above, were oblivious to these atrocities. They not only failed to hear the cry for help but also chose to remain silent, indirectly contributing to the daily torture inflicted on the abductees.
It’s not only the doctors in Gaza, some of whom were trained in Israel, who are silent. The Red Cross, an organization known for providing medical humanitarian aid in war zones, has also chosen to turn a blind eye. Despite having the resources and means to alleviate the abductees’ suffering, they have chosen to remain silent, deflecting criticism from Israel with various excuses.
There are numerous lessons to be learned from this war – lessons on politics, security, and society. However, the silence of the medical teams in Gaza is a crucial medical lesson that we cannot afford to ignore. The silence of those who swore to save and heal is a betrayal that we cannot forgive or forget.
