Dr. Hassan Hamdan, a retired plastic surgeon in Gaza, returned to work to address the surge of injuries from the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. His expertise in wound reconstruction was critical as hospitals were overwhelmed with patients suffering from severe injuries due to the military actions. Tragically, Hamdan and his family were killed in an Israeli airstrike while they sought refuge in a designated “safe zone.”
The nine-month conflict has severely impacted Gaza’s medical infrastructure. Hospitals have been physically damaged and healthcare workers have been heavily targeted, with over 500 medical personnel killed since October. Israel claims that Hamas has integrated itself into the medical facilities, using them for military purposes, an accusation that Gaza’s health workers deny.
Specialist doctors, including Hamdan, have been disproportionately affected. Notable medical professionals, such as Dr. Ahmed al-Maqadma and Dr. Omar Ferwana, were also killed in the conflict. The loss of these specialists has left a significant gap in Gaza’s medical capabilities, especially in critical areas such as fertility treatment and liver transplants.
The war has taken a severe toll on healthcare resources. Israeli forces have targeted hospitals, detaining medical staff and causing widespread destruction. This has forced many health workers to flee, exacerbating the shortage of medical expertise in Gaza. The remaining doctors struggle to meet the overwhelming demand for medical care amidst ongoing violence.
Retired Gaza Surgeon Killed in Airstrike After Returning to Aid Conflict Victims
Since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 38,000 people in Gaza and injuries to more than 88,000. The humanitarian situation has deteriorated, with malnutrition and disease spreading in overcrowded refugee camps. The destruction of medical facilities has made it nearly impossible to provide adequate care for the injured and sick.
Dr. Adam Hamawy, a former U.S. Army combat surgeon, emphasized the irreplaceable loss of Hamdan’s skills. He recounted his experience in Gaza, where the need for specialized surgical skills was critical. Hamawy’s team performed numerous surgeries under difficult conditions, highlighting the desperate need for trained medical professionals.
The constant attacks have forced hospitals to evacuate, leaving only a few operational. Dr. Ahmed al-Mokhallalati, the last reconstructive plastic surgery specialist in Gaza, has been stretched thin, working across multiple hospitals to manage the patient load. He described the dire situation, performing up to ten surgeries a day under immense pressure.
Dr. Hamdan’s dedication was evident throughout his career, founding and leading the burns and plastic surgery department at Nasser Medical Complex until his retirement in 2019. He returned to help during the crisis but was ultimately killed along with his family in an airstrike. His son, Osama Hamdan, who also lost his family in the attack, expressed deep grief and a sense of responsibility for urging his father to leave Khan Younis.
