Israeli attacks see West Bank surgeons prepare for intense care

West Bank surgeons have had to develop new skills to deliver emergency treatment, as Palestinians continue to face Israeli attacks while the Gaza war proceeds, The National reported on August 18th.

Reportedly, Palestinians are being deliberately maimed. The surgeon, Hetty Cane, said that the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) are intent on inflicting severe harm. “They’re aiming to cause more casualties, not just to scare people away like before.” The surgeon added: “We’re not seeing more numbers, but we are witnessing a lot more advanced and more difficult cases.”

There has purportedly been further cases of severe wounds and deaths because of the IDF and illegal Israeli settlers. Recent United Nations data shows that over 10,700 Palestinians in the West Bank have been injured since September 2023.

But attacks by Jewish settlers are now at an average of four per day. What’s more, whilst Israeli attacks have reportedly become more frequent and severe, the surgeons’ capacity to treat patients is being challenged by the huge increase in Israeli checkpoints between different areas, stalling the surgeons’ efforts.

But the charity, The David Nott Foundation (DNF), has set up a course to train 60 Palestinian surgeons across a range of medical expertise. The idea is that if an orthopaedic specialist has to treat an extreme head injury they will be able to treat the patient effectively and prevent them from reaching the point of death.

Cane, who organised the course of the charity described the training as “an all-round course.” The surgeon explained that medical professionals are at a critical point: “We are preparing for the worst, and that’s why most of the training that we’re having is just to build more expertise to deal with mass casualties and very bad advanced injuries.”

The National, Maghrebi.org