Image Credit: Anadolu Agency
French emergency room doctor Pascal Andre, recently back from Gaza, has accused Israel of displaying “genocidal intent” in its ongoing military operations. Andre, who worked at the European Hospital in Khan Younis from February 8 to 22, shared his observations with Anadolu Agency, revealing the dire conditions faced by healthcare professionals in the region. According to Andre, the level of civilian targeting in Gaza is unlike anything seen in other conflict zones, marking a stark escalation in the severity of the humanitarian crisis.
Andre conveyed the experiences of two of his French colleagues who, like him, are veterans of war zones. Both expressed shock at the unprecedented nature of the wounds they treated, suggesting a level of violence that exceeds the norms of conventional warfare. These colleagues, accustomed to the horrors of war, found themselves unprepared for the extent of the injuries they encountered in Gaza, further underlining the severity of the situation.
Andre also highlighted the extraordinary resilience of Gazan health personnel, who continue to work despite the constant risk to their lives. He noted that the Israeli military has targeted not only civilian infrastructure such as mosques, universities, and schools but also healthcare workers and facilities, along with holy and historical sites. This, he suggested, indicates a deliberate strategy to dismantle the social fabric of Gaza, leaving civilians with no haven.
The French doctor’s testimony sheds light on the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where options for civilian safety are rapidly diminishing.