Following the devastating Hamas attacks on October 7th, which tragically claimed the lives of 1,400 individuals and left more than 4,600 injured, Israel’s healthcare providers have been working tirelessly to address the aftermath of this crisis. These insights come from Dr. Michel Thieren, the Special Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Israel, who spent nearly two weeks traversing the country to engage with survivors, government authorities, and families of over 200 hostages who were held in Gaza.
In the immediate aftermath of the attacks, WHO swiftly extended humanitarian support to Israel’s healthcare response. The Israel Health Ministry at the time reported that the system was managing the situation, but it was reassuring to know that they were prepared to seek assistance if needed. Up to this point, WHO’s surveillance system has documented eight attacks on Israeli medical facilities, resulting in the tragic loss of seven lives.
Dr. Thieren’s journey took him to towns left in ruins, from the Ashkelon hospital to military bases where the remains of victims await identification. Throughout these visits, he engaged with survivors, healthcare workers, and governmental representatives. Additionally, he met with the families of those who had been taken hostage by Hamas, in line with repeated appeals from WHO and UN partners for their immediate and unconditional release.
In the midst of escalating tensions in the Israel-Palestine conflict, Dr. Thieren shared his observations and accounts of the experiences of those he met:
“What is particularly striking is that nearly everyone I spoke to, most of whom had suffered severe injuries from gunshots, shrapnel, and burns, showed a remarkable selflessness. They were more inclined to talk about the individuals they had witnessed losing their lives in front of them. In nearly every case, these survivors had witnessed the death of someone else before sustaining their own injuries. This haunting experience is deeply etched in their thoughts and dominates their reflections.”
