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Emirati surgeon Dr Hamed Al Ahmad refused to let the constant threat of air strikes in Rafah deter him from doing his "national duty" in Gaza.
"I've treated many patients as bombs were being dropped in Rafah," Dr Hamed Al Ahmad said, recounting how Israeli attacks had intensified during the 103 days he worked at the UAE field hospital, which is located in the southern city of Rafah.
While working in a war zone, the challenge is to remain emotionally detached, the 46-year-old oral and maxillofacial surgeon told The National.
"You have to focus only on your patient's treatment and do the best you can in the dire situation," said Dr Al Ahmad.
"If you got emotional, then it would be very difficult to go on."
Despite the limitations of a field hospital in a war zone, Dr Al Ahmad has completed life-changing facial reconstruction for many Gazans.
"Usually, facial reconstruction cannot be done in the field hospital, but I did it," he said. None of his patients developed any subsequent infections, he added.
Most were treated for "broken bones, head and nerve injuries, and brain bleeding".
After his time at Rafah field hospital, set up as part of the UAE's Gallant Knight 3 operation to treat Palestinians injured in the conflict, Dr Al Ahmad has been stationed at the UAE’s floating hospital in the Egyptian city of Al Arish. He has been there since May 23.
Life in a war zone hospital
Apart from the heart-rending condition of his patients, the relentless bombing left Dr Al Ahmad sleep-deprived at nights.
"We used to sleep only for a few hours because of the loud explosions around us," he recalled. There were times he would stay up and watch the bombs going off in the distance as black smoke filled the sky, he added.
Every day he would wake up at 7am and attend a daily briefing at the hospital as they slotted the surgeries.
"After each strike, many patients, including children, would arrive and all three operation rooms would fill out," said Dr Al Ahmad.
The gratitude and resilience of his patients helped Dr Al Ahmad continue his work.
"The smile on their faces after treating them was the biggest motivation for me and my colleagues to carry on our duty," he said.
Dr Al Ahmad expressed immense pride at being able to "serve my brothers in such difficult situations".
"People were thanking the UAE for being on the ground to help them during their worst times," said Dr Al Ahmad.
Saving lives
Dr Al Ahmad, who arrived in Gaza in February, saved many lives but one particular case touched his heart.
A man had rushed his father into the emergency department after Israel bombarded their area with 16 air strikes.
"Half of Mohammed Al Jamal's face was crushed severely and his chance of survival was very low," said Dr Al Ahmad.
"When I broke the news to his son he just asked me to do what I could and said he had to go elsewhere.
"Upon more gentle questioning, the man eventually said he had to go "bury his sister"."
The news left Dr Al Ahmad shocked. "It was one of the toughest moments," he said.
Mr Al Jamal's condition stabilised and after three weeks in an intensive care unit, Dr Al Ahmad then carried out the four-hour facial reconstruction operation he needed.
"Mohammed is back to normal and can speak normally," he said.
A few days later, his son brought in his 10-year-old grandson, who had suffered a broken jaw.
"I operated on the little boy and the family couldn’t believe the results. Both survived," said Dr Al Ahmad.
The successful operations and well-stocked hospital were a result of the Emirati logistical teams in Al Arish, members of which ensured a steady supply of medicine and vital equipment.
Dr Al Ahmad is aware of the risks involved in working in a war zone, but believes it is his national duty to save lives.
"My family was scared when I told them I was going to Rafah but later they encouraged me to complete my humanitarian and national duty," he said.
He continues to treat injured Palestinians, about 50km from Rafah crossing border, at the UAE floating hospital in Al Arish.
"If they asked me to go [to Gaza] again, I would go without any hesitation," he said. "It is a humanitarian and national duty."
Watch: Onboard the UAE floating hospital
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Liverpool 3
Mane (7'), Salah (69'), Firmino (90')
Bournemouth 0
Profile
Company: Libra Project
Based: Masdar City, ADGM, London and Delaware
Launch year: 2017
Size: A team of 12 with six employed full-time
Sector: Renewable energy
Funding: $500,000 in Series A funding from family and friends in 2018. A Series B round looking to raise $1.5m is now live.
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2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
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Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
MATCH INFO
Europa League final
Who: Marseille v Atletico Madrid
Where: Parc OL, Lyon, France
When: Wednesday, 10.45pm kick off (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
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Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
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Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Founders: Ines Mena, Claudia Ribas, Simona Agolini, Nourhan Hassan and Therese Hundt
Date started: January 2017, app launched November 2017
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Private/Retail/Leisure
Number of Employees: 18 employees, including full-time and flexible workers
Funding stage and size: Seed round completed Q4 2019 - $1m raised
Funders: Oman Technology Fund, 500 Startups, Vision Ventures, Seedstars, Mindshift Capital, Delta Partners Ventures, with support from the OQAL Angel Investor Network and UAE Business Angels
Profile
Name: Carzaty
Founders: Marwan Chaar and Hassan Jaffar
Launched: 2017
Employees: 22
Based: Dubai and Muscat
Sector: Automobile retail
Funding to date: $5.5 million
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- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
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- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
The view from The National
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Biblioasis
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
