“According to the cruel triage that was necessary in Gaza, after mass-casualty events, people with brain wounds were not treated. The rule was that if a person's head had been penetrated or brain matter was exposed, there was no point in fighting for the person's life because of the shortage of brain surgeons, equipment and supplies.”
Summary (see link for full testimony):
An American doctor visited Gaza and saw the horror up close. Five cases haunt her.
In May 2025, Dr. Mimi Syed, an American physician, volunteered in Gaza, where she encountered profound human suffering that has since haunted her. During her time at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, she treated numerous patients, including a 13-year-old boy with a severe abdominal gunshot wound and a 14-year-old girl with a head injury from a sniper’s bullet. Both were critically injured while attempting to reach food distribution sites during off-hours, highlighting the perilous conditions faced by civilians seeking aid.
Dr. Syed also recounted the tragic case of a 15-year-old boy who died after being shot in the head, and two young brothers, one of whom lost an eye and the other was paralyzed from the neck down, all victims of gunfire near aid centers. These incidents underscore the lethal risks associated with accessing humanitarian assistance in Gaza.
Reflecting on her experiences, Dr. Syed expressed a deep sense of helplessness, stating, “I feel like I failed them.” Her account serves as a poignant reminder of the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the urgent need for international attention and intervention.