Airdrie doctor speaks out on Middle East conflict

An Airdrie doctor is speaking out about the war in the Middle East and what it could mean for the civilian Palestinian population of Gaza if the blockade of water, fuel, and electricity continues.

Dr. Fozia Alvi, the founder of Humanity Auxilium, a non-profit organization, focused on serving marginalized communities globally, said that it is difficult to watch what is happening in Gaza.

"As a physician, it's painful to watch," Dr. Alvi wrote in a statement. "I grieve for the lives of Israeli civilians lost in the conflict and the ensuing aftermath that has resulted in the death of over 3,000 Gazans, a third of whom are children. As the world bears witness to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, Humanity Auxilium is launching a concerted effort with its partner organizations in the region to address the immediate needs of all civilians affected by the war."

As of Wednesday, October 18, the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza stated that the death toll in Gaza had reached at least 3,478 casualties since Israel began bombing the Gaza Strip on October 7. At least 1,300 more are considered missing. Over a third of those killed in Gaza are children.

The Health Ministry also said that at least 12,065 Palestinians have been injured during the same timeframe, with 70 percent of the victims being women, children, and the elderly. Nearly 30 Palestinians have been killed in the occupied West Bank since October 7, with nearly 1,400 injured. Israeli casualties from the deadly Hamas attack on Israel have surpassed 1,300. Israeli officials have stated the vast majority of those killed were civilians, while approximately 264 casualties were soldiers. 

Dr. Alvi noted that the lack of water in Gaza could lead to the outbreak of water-borne diseases, and because Gaza is one of the most densely populated areas on earth, communicable diseases could quickly turn into a deadly epidemic. 

"We are seeking an immediate end to the siege of Gaza. We are demanding all parties to spare medical facilities and healthcare professionals. To respect the sanctity of civilian lives, especially the sick and injured who have no means to escape," Dr. Alvi said.

Although Gaza has been blockaded by both Egypt and Israel since Hamas came to power in the early 2000s when the political militant group narrowly won elections, on October 9, two days after Hamas, whom the Canadian government lists as a terror organization, carried out an unprecedented attack in Israeli territory when the group killed thousands of people and taking others hostage; Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced that there would be a, "...a complete siege … no electricity, no water, no food, no fuel. We are fighting human animals, and we act accordingly."

The siege has been criticized by various human rights groups and according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (IHL), sieges, '...may only be directed exclusively against an enemy's armed forces...IHL also prohibits starving the civilian population as a method of warfare. At the same time, although temporary evacuations may be necessary, and even legally required, sieges must not be used to compel civilians to permanently leave an area."

In the past several days there has been a flurry of reports of the potential of Egypt opening the Rafah border (Rafah is the only crossing point between Egypt and the Gaza Strip) to allow humanitarian aid in. On, Wednesday, October 18, hours after U.S. President Joe Biden met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister's office said it would not, 'allow any humanitarian assistance from its territory to the Gaza Strip as long as our captives are not returned.' However, the statement added that it would not prevent humanitarian assistance from Egypt.

"...as long as it is only food, water and medicine for the civilian population located in the southern Gaza Strip or which is evacuating to there, and as long as these supplies do not reach Hamas. Any supplies that reach Hamas – will be prevented," the statement read in part. 

Dr. Alvi said she is currently in contact with her Egyptian counterparts and is trying to navigate the complicated logistics of trying to help send humanitarian aid, noting that because of the sustained Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip, basic infrastructure has been decimated. 

"Whenever we go into the disaster zone, the local government is partnered with a local organization and then we use the infrastructure of the government," she said. "But it is the local government - they provide that. But in this situation, we do not have an infrastructure basically."

Dr. Alvi noted that there is a shortage of supplies including basic first aid provisions.

"...Burn patients are being cleaned with water as there is no chlorhexidine. From ventilators to electricity, healthcare professionals lack essential resources needed to save lives."

The dire situation in Gaza was made all the more cataclysmic when on Tuesday, October 18, the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City was bombed. Initially, there were reports of up to 500 casualties. The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza blamed the bombing on the Israelis, while the Israeli Defense Forces vehemently denied the claim, saying that it had been a failed rocket launch attempt into Israel by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group that was responsible for the bombing. 

"My medical colleagues in Gaza right now are overwhelmed. Most of them have lost their loved ones. This week, we have lost a plastic surgeon and his whole family was killed," Dr. Alvi said. "As a humanitarian organization, we are advocating for peace and justice while respecting the rights and dignity of all individuals, including our Jewish allies."

According to a statement by the Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ravina Shamdasani, 28 medical staff and 14 UN staff have been killed thus far in the conflict since October 7. At least four paramedics in Gaza have also been killed, while one Israeli paramedic was also killed during the Hamas attack on October 7.

Dr. Alvi said she is continually working with her staff to assess the logistics of delivering aid and personnel to Gaza.

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