Paramedics in Gaza: Risking it all

E-Paper | October 01, 2026

Paramedics in Gaza: Risking it all

Nalan Al Sarraj Published July 22, 2014

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Dr Mads Gilbert.

Israel’s relentless attacks over the past three weeks have left their victims desperate for help, with the death toll among Palestinians now exceeding 500, the injured over 3,000, and the number of displaced refugees exceeding 50,000.

The region’s healthcare system has been utterly exhausted.

Renowned Norwegian doctor Mads Gilbert has been involved with the Palestinian people since the 1970’s. While working at a hospital in Gaza in 2009, Dr. Gilbert made international news when he reportedly sent an SMS to international news agencies at a time when reporters were banned from the region. In this dramatic statement, Dr. Gilbert said that,

We wade in death, blood and amputees. Many children. Pregnant woman. I have never experienced anything this horrible …
We’re living in the history books now, all of us!

With Israel on the offensive again, Dr. Gilbert is back in Gaza to help the Palestinian people. In an open letter, he captured the world’s attention yet again, with his incredible and horrifying description of the conditions he encounters on a daily basis.

In his dramatic ending statement, he implores President Barack Obama to, “spend one night – just one night – with [them] in Shifa. I am convinced, 100 per cent, it would change history. Nobody with a heart and power could ever walk away from a night in Shifa without being determined to end the slaughter of the Palestinian people.”

The below interview of Dr. Mads Gilbert is a DawnNews Exclusive conducted by Nalan Al Sarraj.

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Nalan Al Sarraj is a Palestinian activist and blogger.

Sunil

Jul 22, 2014 08:25pm

For 298 deaths of MH-17 Malaysian Airlines, EU, and US are stiffening their sanctions against Russia, where as more than 600 deaths of Palestinians by Israel, no sanctions. Very strange.

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zaffar

Jul 22, 2014 11:37pm

We talk of human values,but Palastinian lives have no values.SHAME ON US. Shame on the leaders of Islamic countries.

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Jul 22, 2014 11:38pm

....salute to him...

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Human

Jul 23, 2014 01:30am

God bless him, he is breaking religious boundaries and just acting as any normal human being would...

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I-SLAM

Jul 23, 2014 02:02am

God bless this noble human. I wonder how many muslim doctors often go to serve in conflict areas involving non-muslims?

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Dr Khan

Jul 23, 2014 02:29am

How do these doctors reach Gaza ,there is complete blockade by Israel

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Alok

Jul 23, 2014 08:46am

@ Dr Khan: When there is will, there is a way.

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roger_davis

Jul 23, 2014 11:42am

Thank you so much for your sacrifice Mr. Gilbert. Although you've been working in Gaza since the 70's but we are hearing about you only now. Such a shame. May allah bless you and your family You truly are a gem.

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Cyrus Ho

Jul 23, 2014 12:34pm

I sent a letter telling Roey Gilad, the Consul General of Israel in Chicago, that bombing in Gaza where Israel has prevented people from stockpiling enough medical supplies to save the dying and wounded, as well as attacking ambulances, was against the rules of war. Hope he passes that up the diplomatic chain of command. If Netanyahu and Israeli generals cannot control their infantry from firing on ambulances they are as responsible as if they gave the direct order. The United Nations should demand that Israel must pay for all the damage their war has done in the Gaza strip, and also repay pay the UN for refugee aid being furnished by the same now and in future out of it's own treasury, or the Palestinians go before the World Court in the Netherlands as the plaintiffs and sue for damages. Perhaps the US Congress and the American taxpayers wish to help pay the costs of rebuilding Gaza.

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Nazir

Jul 23, 2014 02:41pm

This is just one doctor who is in the news, I am sure there are many like him. The problem is Israelis dont care who is on the receiving end, they are very mighty against the stone throwing kids. A nation which lived on hand outs from the West showing their pride by using all the weapons supplied by the so-called allied nations to murder the women and children. Proud Israelis. Ya

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Leo

Jul 23, 2014 03:42pm

Must read the Open Letter in the link, written by Great Mr. Mads Gilbert...OMG I cannot stop my tears...a true depiction of the whole dreadful scene of Gaza has been illustrated by Great Mr. Mads...Salute to your courage, empathy and humanity Mr. Gilbert..people like you are called really 'Great Human Beings'...people like Obama and Netenyahoo are called really Human 'Beasts'...I wish I may witness the same catastrophe in Israel and USA before my eyes are closed!!

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Junaid

Jul 23, 2014 09:06pm

Salute to this brave doctor!!

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andy jorgensen

Jul 24, 2014 01:02am

Brave doctor this Dr.Gilbert is, and a doctor with a heart for working to save innocent lives since the 1970s. The Palestinian situation is a man made human crisis that has been festering for too long. It is time the world community came together to solve this humanitarian crisis once and for all.

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