British Surgeon Testifies About Gaza War Crimes

A British Palestinian surgeon who spent weeks in the Gaza Strip during the recent Israel-Hamas conflict has given testimony to a British war crimes investigation unit.

A British Palestinian surgeon, Ghassan Abu Sitta, who served in the Gaza Strip during the recent Israel-Hamas conflict as part of a Doctors Without Borders medical team, has provided testimony to a British war crimes investigation unit. Abu Sitta, a plastic surgeon specializing in conflict medicine, has extensive experience volunteering in various conflicts, including Gaza, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.

Witnessing the Devastation in Gaza

Abu Sitta entered Gaza from Egypt on October 9, two days after the war began, and remained there for 43 days. He primarily worked in the al-Ahli and Shifa hospitals in northern Gaza, witnessing the devastating impact of the conflict firsthand. The war, triggered by a Hamas-led incursion into southern Israel, resulted in the deaths of over 17,700 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory.

Healthcare System Under Attack

Abu Sitta described the intensity of the Gaza conflict as akin to a tsunami compared to other conflicts he had experienced. Beyond the staggering number of casualties, he highlighted the deliberate targeting and destruction of the healthcare system in Gaza. The shortage of essential medical supplies, including morphine, analgesics, and anesthetic medication, forced medical professionals to perform painful procedures without anesthesia.

Providing Testimony on War Crimes

Upon his return to the UK, Abu Sitta was approached by the war crimes unit at the Metropolitan Police to provide evidence in a potential war crimes investigation. His testimony primarily focused on attacks on healthcare facilities, including the deadly blast that struck the courtyard of al-Ahli hospital on October 17, killing hundreds of displaced people who had sought shelter there.

Controversy over Explosion at al-Ahli Hospital

Israeli authorities, along with US and French intelligence agencies, attributed the explosion to a misfired Palestinian rocket. However, Hamas maintained that it was an Israeli strike. Abu Sitta's observations suggested that the injuries he witnessed were more consistent with damage caused by an Israeli Hellfire missile, which disintegrates into metal shards that can cause amputations.

Allegations of White Phosphorus Use

Abu Sitta also treated patients with burn wounds consistent with white phosphorus shelling, which he had previously encountered during the 2009 war. White phosphorus shells cause deep chemical burns that penetrate the body's structures, unlike thermal burns that affect the outer surface. Human rights groups have accused Israeli forces of using white phosphorus shells in densely populated residential areas in Gaza and Lebanon during the ongoing conflict. Israel maintains that it employs these incendiaries solely as smokescreens and not to target civilians.

Denying Allegations of Hamas Presence in Shifa Hospital

Abu Sitta, who rotated between al-Ahli and Shifa hospital, refuted allegations that the latter served as a Hamas command center. He emphasized that he had unrestricted access to Shifa and never observed any military presence within the hospital. The only security personnel present were policemen tasked with managing crowds in front of the emergency department, armed only with truncheons.

Seeking Accountability through War Crimes Investigations

Abu Sitta expressed hope that the UK war crimes investigation would lead to prosecutions, either locally or internationally. His testimony adds to the growing body of evidence being gathered by various international bodies, including the International Criminal Court, which has prioritized investigating potential crimes committed by both Hamas militants and Israeli forces.