“We told his dad to pick him up and take him over to the area where dead kids are allowed to die with their families.” - Dr. Feroze Sidhwa
With the sun setting over Gaza’s skyline and warplanes flying overhead, trauma surgeon Dr. Feroze Sidhwa and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Mark Perlmutter huddle in front of their webcam at Nasser Hospital in the south of Gaza to describe some of the horrors they have seen over the last week.
“We're losing friends all the time. We all have medical student friends that we befriended last year that are now dead,” Dr. Perlmutter tells Mehdi, adding that the dire situation at the hospital has left it remarkably compromised. “I would clean a patient's arm before I repaired a broken elbow on a baby with tap water. They received no antibiotics, and their supplies are as bad as they were a year ago.”
Dr. Sidhwa, meanwhile, had a closer-than-usual brush with death this week when an Israeli airstrike on the hospital killed his 17-year-old patient, “He would have gone home yesterday, the day after the bombing,” says Dr. Sidhwa, who was contacted by the US embassy after his tweet on the attack, pointing out how he was almost killed by the Israeli airstrike, garnered over a million views on Twitter.
“I got a call from the US Embassy after I sent out that tweet, because I think people saw it, and the lady said, ‘Hi, this is the embassy. We just want to make sure you're okay.’ And I was like, yeah, I'm fine. If you want to be sure I stay okay, maybe you could ask the Israelis not to bomb Nasser Hospital again, and I swear to God, she goes, ‘Actually, that's not our role, sorry.’”
For both doctors, this is not their first mission to Gaza since the genocide began in 2023, and much of the carnage, death, and destruction they saw the first time persists. “Just like when we were here last year, 40% to 50% of the casualties we're seeing, and most of the severely injured casualties, are kids,” says Dr. Sidhwa.
Watch the full interview above to hear the heartbreaking stories that both doctors share with Mehdi, including how Dr. Perlmutter was forced to use a drill bit to fix a child’s fractured arm, and how Dr. Sidhwa treated a family attacked by an Israeli Apache helicopter. They also tackle the Israeli claim that Hamas fighters are hiding in Gaza’s hospitals.
We are making this interview available to all of our subscribers for free, without any paywall, because we believe these two American doctors’ testimonies on the ground in Gaza are so important for the world to hear. But if you appreciate the work Zeteo does, and if you value independent journalism, please do consider donating to Zeteo or becoming a paid subscriber.
Israel can kill Americans ( Rachel Corrie, Shireen Abu Akleh and many more), attack America (USS Liberty) and face no consequence from the American Government. What does that tell you about the beholden American politicians. Americans come second for most of them. This recent MAGA thing is just a red herring. Trump and cohorts takes instruction from the Israel lobby and the likes of Miriam Adelson.
They also killed Kennedy and masterminded 9/11. Also they helped ISIS
This is so horrifying but thanks to Zeteo for giving this story your platform. Somehow, and hopefully very soon, US and EU governments will stop support for the Netanyahu blood bath.
Glad you are optimistic but I don't think you know the severity of what is happening.
No way the support will stop. It will only increase
As these courageous doctors make clear— these are WAR CRIMES. A horrific documented genocide is underway. The children, the future of the Palestinian people are being intentionally targeted and mass murdered. The UN High Commissioner on Human Rights will be delivering a report on Children in Armed Conflicts. Despite my lack of area “ expertise”(I have worked on China most of my professional life), together with a colleague, we submitted in January inputs on children in Gaza for the HC report, a bare minimum action. I can share link once we get the link in the UN website.
Thank you to @Zeteo for contributing to the preservation of the record, the evidence for an inevitable future trial (by law and history) of all those complicit. In the present, we need to not look away and take whatever action, however limited, each of us can.
Just completely and utterly shameful behavior, by both the US and Israel.
More like: Just completely and utterly normal behavior, by both the US and israhel.
When I was a volunteer nurse with the Palestine Red Crescent Society in Tripoli Lebanon in 1983, the First Secretary of the Norwegian Embassy brought me a message from the US Embassy: They would not offer me protection or safe passage out of Lebanon but would be so kind as to inform my mother of my death should it come to pass. My experiences PALE in comparison to the medical personnel in Gaza now but I have, since that day in 1983, held out no hope for any American who was in any way working with Palestinians.
This is what America gets when they elect Nazis who commit attempted genocide 2.0
Loss of national security, a desperate attempt to appease a Russian dictator, destruction of the government infrastructure, ridiculous imperialisitic foreign policy, creation of an oligarchic ruling class, voting subversion to destroy the integrity of the country's voting process, and the worst of blatant government corruption in 250y Lie Lie Lie Fools yes, Clowns yes And we have 4 years of this???? The shocking and saddest of all of this is that the Nazis show no embarrassment or shame....just arrogance disrespect shown to the American public
And Nazi incompetence shouldn't be a surprise with a drunk running the Pentagon This most recent botched job will no doubt lead him to drink his ass into oblivion....remember "I promise to stop drinking if I get the job" WET BRAIN is what they call this in alcohol rehab circles
America WAKE UP Vote the Nazis out of office and pronto
This didn't start with Trump nor will it end with him...although this country as we know it might. I can't see any administration doing anything significantly different vis á vis Israel. And one of the reasons so many of the Dems haven't done anything is that they are enjoying Trump getting blamed for doing what they have wanted for decades to do to the Palestinians.
You're so right. This escalation spanned multiple administrations.
Only maga would dispute the fact that Trump was more of a war-monger in Palestine, than Obama. Likewise, only blue-maga ignores the fact that Biden was more of a war-monger in Palestine, than Trump-1.
To no one's surprise Trump-2 is continuing to escalate. So would Biden-2, if he'd managed another term. So would Harris.
Democrats would've continued the charade of feigning helplessness while actively aiding & abetting Israel's genocidal annexation — in contrast to Republicans EXPLICIT approval of genocidal annexation — but NEITHER party was offering an END to Israel's lawless savagery. Neither party offers sanity or even the most basic respect for the law, let alone decency & fairness.
Democrats won't flex a trifecta-mandate to give you healthcare, but they'll assume absolute power, in service to Israeli aggression. Likewise, Democrats' leadership will give up completely, and just hand the US election to Donald Trump, rather than denounce genocide & admit that Palestinians are human.
The Democratic Party's leaders weren't even willing to FAKE it for a few months, in order to win the election.
Israel's genocidal annexation of Palestine (and beyond), is more important to the Democratic Party leadership, than the US is.
Even now, some Dems openly SUPPORT Trump.
Right, start with bush, Obama and Biden finished off Trump. But I would not make a thing about it. That does not make Trump an innocent bystander.
Also when American citizen somehow in bad situation at abroad they send envoys to free them and make flash press showdowns it happened last week from Russia.
American citizen Muslim or Palestinian, they give coordinates to Israelis to target and kill them. That's Trump 2.0
This is what America wants not what America gets, its way worse than you think.
Presumably the American Nazis you refer to are the current crazies in the White House? But you forget that when it comes to this genocide it was the last lot who aided and abetted their genocidal allies from day one and to the very last day. So unless you are able to vote in someone like Ralph Nader, getting rid of these loonies will not help that much.
It's tough to vote them out, when the only option is the Uniparty. No matter which name you pice, you still end up with genocide, and covering up Israel's crimes. The USS Liberty happened under Lyndon Baines Johnson, a Democrat. The Gaza genocide began and continued for 14 months under Joe Biden, a Democrat. Things are still following that trajectory, regardless of Democrat or Republican. Two names for the Uniparty.
52 years ago I read a book written by a brave anti Zionist Jew which first awakened me to the plight of the Palestinians. Ever since then, I have been in awe of the many people of the Jewish faith who have the courage to stand up and say "Not in my name". Dr. Perlmutter follows in that tradition and my admiration is unbound. As to my fellow Zoroastrian, the young Dr. Sidhwa, I can only say that you evoke a long dormant sense of pride in our small community. Keep safe. Keep spreading the message. Keep up your life saving work.
As to Israel's war crimes, aided and abetted by most of the so-called civilised western countries, the world has woken up to the hypocrisy, the lies, the war mongering. The cards are stacked against us but maybe, just maybe a long way down the line, justice will catch up with these criminals. I just hope I live long enough to see it happen.
The world has, like so many of us, awoken from our sleep. Once seen and understood, I think it changes us- for the better. I am hopeful the long arch of justice is bending to a better day for peace.
But our hopes will be useless unless accompanied by activism. Activism in any form - big or small. Boycott all Israeli goods. BDS is targeting two of the western world's most popular everyday consumer goods - Coca Cola an McDonalds. The one thing I actually agree with Clinton about is "its the economy, stupid" emphasis. No use appealing to morality - hit their purse, their profits.
Send your representatives in government a constant barrage of letters. Fill the streets with marches and rallies and remember these two wonderful slogans actually have meaning - 1. We Are the People. 2. We Won't be Silenced. And the much older one - The People United Will Never Be Defeated!
I am deeply saddened by the world indifference. Indifference to the extent that they are not willing to sacrifice.
This was really we all done Mehdi. Thank you for giving them a platform.
My heart has been breaking for Palestinian civilians for decades. Israel is out of control, hellbent on genocide, and we keep sending 2000 lb. bombs. It's heinous and disturbing on so many levels.
You will get no help from Schumer. Last week he was still spouting Israeli propaganda You know; beheaded babies, babies burned alive.
As sickening and horrifying as this is, I am deeply moved by the courage and integrity of these doctors. Their dedication to saving human life under deplorable conditions stands in stark contrast to the cowardice of many American politicians.
Thank you for this interview, Zeteo. I can’t figure out how a majority of this country (completely complicit) just ignores the atrocities suffered by Palestinians and little children in Gaza. Dr. Feroze Sidhwa and Dr. Mark Perlmutter are excellent spokespeople! I wish more would listen.
We cannot allow Israel to escape the legal consequences of their war crimes. The Hind Rajab Foundation has, among other things, filed a case with the ICC against 1,000 Israeli soldiers for war crimes in Gaza.
https://www.hindrajabfoundation.org/perpetrators/hind-rajab-foundation-files-historic-icc-complaint-against-1000-israeli-soldiers-for-war-crimes-in-gaza
They have taken further steps in recent days, and vacations are becoming a lot more difficult for IDF soldiers, worldwide. The Hind Rajab Foundation can use our help. Please join me in making a contribution.
https://buy.stripe.com/cN228hbY5g7jaM84gg
You might find meaningful to watch the recent interviews that Glenn Greenwald did on his Rumble platform, and Ali Abunimah of the Electronic Intifada, did with the head of this organisation, Dyad Abou Jahjah. It was very informative.
Here's a petition calling for accountability for the arrest of Ali Abunimah in Switzerland:
https://chng.it/8D4pkxPhWS
Please sign the petition and share widely.
Signed and donated
I donated right after I heard about the Israeli guy who had to scuttle home from Brasil in the middle of the night when they went after him. It was the first piece of good news I'd heard in a while.
Israel holds the most cowardly army in the world, The IDF. the most cowardly men in the world , They target and murder women and children while lying about hunting down Hamas. remarkably, in places where women are told to go and shelter. so they can be bombed in a group, holding their children. Anyone trying to report on their atrocities, Is murdered. Those trying to relieve the suffering, are murdered, In some cases vaporised, by American supplied weopons,
A true holocaust is occuring, where bodies are burned to vapore, stated by a number of people who went through the first, The Nazi holocaust. Survivors of that, recognise what is going on.
What Israel is doing is horrific. They are proving to be beyond disgusting. there is no word yet for the outright murder of one race by another, without the intevening war.
]For this is no war this is a slaughter. Having previously marked Hamas as " Terrorists ?"
Setting them up against the world. before the slaughter.
There arent many pics of Hamas fighting or causing destruction, Theres a lot available of Israel's destruction, it depicts insanity, complete insanity.
But, its still hard to see what the children did wrong, or their mothers.
To be lined up for murder. their not fighting, their being murdered.
lauriemillerjade.com
When will Americans wake up? Is it because the Palestinian children are not white, that's why Americans still doing nothing? I used to live in America for degree, was sent by my Malaysian gov on full scholar to study in the USA. I was shocked to see the so called great country is not great to its people. Malaysia provides free healthcare and education to Malaysians. Every year, gov workers will receive bonus. Every year, all parents will receive money for school fees (fee is less than $50). Every year, our children get free school uniforms, books and stationery. Malaysians with lower income will receive free meals at schools. I used to think that our education quality was not at bar with the USA. But after living in the USA, it was totally the opposite. The education quality in the USA was really bad. How much longer can Americans bear with these torture??? Time to wake up. If not for the Palestinians, do it for yourselves.
Yes it is because they are not white Christians but mostly because they are not white
DAWN has urged the ICC prosecutor to investigate and prosecute former President Biden, State Secretary Blinken and Defense Secretary Austin for their personal roles in aiding and abetting Israeli war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in Gaza as part of his ongoing investigation into the situations in Palestine since 2014.
https://dawnmena.org/latest/
Let’s give them our support. Maybe they will expand their complaint to include this latest US administration, and include all the leaders of the western nations supporting this genocide.
Are there any people more vile than Israelis? My hope that one day Biden and Trump and their rotten helpers all get the same jail time they are now inflicting on the people they have deported, shaved heads and all. Of course that will never happen. The U.S. seem to only punish the poor. The Israelis themselves will probably end up taking care of Netanyahu themselves.
True hero Doctors!
How barbaric. Not protecting your own citizens. That's what happens when your politicians are controlled by big money, lobbiest and special interest groups. If your left leaning. Elect politicans who want to remove all money from politics. Period. No ifs no Buts. It's the only way to fix this broken system. Also elect leaders who ban profitering from war. No company should be allowed to make trillions of dollars in the death and destruction of a human life. Period. Humanity first and always. Not big business or profits.
Heartbreaking, enraging. Thanks Zeteo for airing this story. Keep it up.
Thank you Mehdi for putting this interview out there! I just hope those people who are so adamantly against the Palestinians will listen with an open heart.
So much gratitude to all the doctors and aid workers in Gaza - regardless of faith, race or nationality. May Allah keep you safe and protected.
I'm writing this with primarily US citizens in mind. As the US and Israel have declared war on all Palestinians, we should now go about every hour of every day bearing in mind that every one of us has now quite literally been declared war on by the same entities. Not just by the fascists who have hijacked our country, but by the fascists of the Israeli government too. If you failed to be in solidarity with the Palestinians who were eradicated yesterday, that doesn't have to stop you from doing something to sabotage Trump & his neo-Nazi fascists tomorrow, and to sabotage genocide. Those of us who do in any way, do so apart but meaningfully together.
Trump lied time and again in the campaign over many things to keep his ass out of jail
The dictatorship is now evolving More attacks of law firms House leader suggests that the government get rid of federal district courts Fascist and Russian troll Trump wants to takeover the Postal Service so he can remove mail in voting Another executive order to underscore the SAVE act now in the House so that 31m voters every year can be disenfranchised The dictator knows that if his Congressional advantage is swept away in 2026 he will be impeached again
The Nazis have to be stopped at the polling place in 2026 Vote ALL Nazis(aka Republicans out of office GET ANGRY
WE the PEOPLE against the billiionaires
Great reporting Mehdi! Thanks for existing.
Petition for the immediate release of Mahmoud Khalil.
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/demand-the-immediate-release-of-columbia-student-pro-palestine-advocate-mahmoud-khalil-from-dhs-detention
Can’t be more involved in this genocide
Thanks for courageous reporting. Bernie is the only moral leader highlighting this. Where is GCC plus Egyptian leadership?
Hamas leaders are to blame too for not compromising when they have had a chance to.
Outrageous!
Oh what surprise it was never about US citizens... money money money, and a bullet in the head.
You can't claim that Jews control the media, when these stories aren't aired....
Jews control the media you can deny it all you want. They also control social media newspapers (online as well). They have massive influence in elections and on the elected (They control politics from city to federal president) They control Hollywood their main way to corrupt and keep average people busy with sin while they grasp more control. They control banking finances. They control and own every aspect of America.
Zionists are what you are referring to. Zionism is not the same as Judaism. That is what they are trying to get us to believe. Don't help them do their dirty work. Make sure to understand that the Zionists want this conflation in order to use Jews as cover.
I can somewhat agree but most Zionist are Jews and that ideology came out of Judaism. I know good Jews exist and many more are waking up, speaking out and fighting their programing since they were kids (not easy to do I Admire this and its honorable) still we can't hide the facts above.
At least as important as the fact that decent Jewish people should not be falsely condemned for Zionists' crimes, is the fact that INDECENT non-Jewish people should NOT ESCAPE condemnation for THEIR Zionist crimes.
Christian Zionists should not escape condemnation (Joe Biden, for example).
Gold-worshipping Zionist-whores should not escape condemnation (Donald Trump, for example).
Hindu Zionists should not escape condemnation (Narendra Modi, for example).
Zionists of any religion, or no religion, should not escape condemnation.
Also: Conflating "Zionist" with "Jew" is Netanyahu's trick. It allows him to conflate anti-Zionism with antisemitism.
Likewise: It adds legitimacy to Trump's efforts to criminalize criticism of Israel.
That being said, it is an undeniable fact that Zionists control the corporate, mainstream media. No argument there.
Absolutely! Equating Zionism with all Jews just helps them! Many if not most of the opposition in the US is being led by Jews!
Well , Yes.
lauriemillejade.com
How interesting that Israelis do nothing but point out that there are Palestinians in Israel, but there are no Jews in Gaza. Clearly nobody has told Dr. Perlmutter that.
What incredibly brave and morally righteous people they are and you can feel their rage as they describe what is happening. Thanks Mehdi for publishing this even though it was almost unbearable to hear.
OMG, these men are absolute heroes. Now, they are in danger, helping people who should not be wounded because the US and Israeli governments are run by sociopaths.
The US and Europe haven’t really paid for the atrocities they’ve committed against humanity- colonization, slavery, genocide and every form of dehumanization that comes with all that. I don’t think they’ll pay a price again for their involvement in Israel’s genocide of Palestinians. White Americans and White Europeans frankly don’t give a shit about Black and Brown people or their children - Ukraine is proof of that. If enough of them did - Israel would be reigned in. It’s not about the Holocaust guilt either - that’s a lie, but a convenient cudgel Jews use to psychologically manipulate and intimidate with. It’s racism and antisemitism- that keeps White Americans and White Europeans in line and the Zionists LOVE that and use it to their advantage. Zionism pre-existed Nazism - and the Zionist Jews learned all too well from the Nazis.