Starting my nursing studies at Al Azhar University, I always had a dream of working at al-Shifa Hospital, the largest and most prestigious hospital in the Gaza Strip. The hospital, which means “healing” in Arabic, was where some of the best doctors and nurses in Palestine worked, along with foreign medical missions providing care and training.
After graduating in 2020, I worked various short-term jobs before finally becoming a volunteer nurse at al-Shifa. I found great joy in working in the emergency department, meeting patients with a smile every day, hoping to ease their pain and receiving their prayers of gratitude.
Among the 80 nurses at the emergency department, both men and women, I formed close friendships, particularly with a colleague named Alaa, who was kind and beloved by all. These friendships helped sustain me as the hospital became overwhelmed with casualties when the war broke out.
Despite the difficult circumstances, I chose to stay at the hospital to care for the patients, even when the Israeli army called for my family to evacuate. Alaa and I supported each other through the challenges.
As the siege intensified, supplies dwindled, and we struggled to keep patients alive. The loss of fuel and oxygen resulted in the tragic deaths of premature babies in our care. The siege culminated in an Israeli raid on the hospital, violating international laws protecting medical facilities.
Forced to evacuate, I bid farewell to my colleagues and patients, embarking on a long journey south per Israeli orders. The news of Alaa’s tragic death upon returning to her displaced family in Beit Lahiya added to the sorrow of losing my workplace and dear friend.
In the aftermath of the devastation, I now live in a tent, caring for the sick in makeshift clinics. The uncertainty of the future looms large, but in the new year, I dream of seeing al-Shifa restored to its former glory.
These personal reflections are solely the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Al Jazeera.
