RAFIF ESLEEM

Gaza- Since October 7, 2023, Israel has waged a bloody war against Palestinians, killing and injuring tens thousands and displacing millions.

Navin Al-Dawasah, a Palestinian nurse and paramedic, has worked to help war-wounded patients since the beginning of Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip. She started working as a paramedic seven years ago when she was only 16 and she has been a volunteer with the Palestine Red Crescent Society for seven years.

Her first experience as a paramedic was after an Israeli bombardment targeted a multi-story building in northern Gaza. When she arrived at the scene, she learned that her grandfather, uncles and other relatives had also been trapped under the rubble of the building. “It was difficult for me. I was crying while treating the wounded. I did not know what to do. I lost my grandfather, uncles and other relatives.”

Navin Al-Dawasah worked at a health center in a school in Jabalia, which was besieged by the Israeli forces for 16 days. “30 wounded people were transferred to the health center every day. Most of them were children and women. After stopping bleeding, we sent the wounded to the Kamal Adwan Hospital,” she told NuJINHA. On October 20, Israeli warplanes and drones began to bomb the school. “Although I was told to evacuate the health center because it was not safe, I did leave and helped the wounded. More than 120 wounded people were transferred to the center in one hour. I treated them and some young men helped me to transfer them to the Kamal Adwan Hospital. I did not leave the school until all the displaced people left the school.”

After hours, an Israeli drone announced that they had to evacuate the school because the school would be bombed in one hour. “I began to pack my belongings; however, the shelter was bombed after ten minutes. Everyone started running to flee from the bombardment. Some left their children behind in fear.”

Navin Al-Dawasah was wounded in the head. Although she was wounded, she jumped over the wall to get out of the shelter but she heard the voice of a crying girl. “She was a four-month old girl. I returned to take her with me.”

She found the mother of the girl

Navin Al-Dawasah kept walking despite the airstrikes. When airstrikes stopped, she walked and then reached a safe place. “When I arrived there, I saw women and men staying in different places. I contacted some people to find the mother of the girl.  Then, I learned that the mother was at the hospital because her sister and brother had been injured. Four days later, I managed to find the mother and hand her daughter over to her.”

Navin Al-Dawasah concluded her speech by saying, “What has been happening in northern Gaza is a genocide. I call on the international community and organizations to raise their voice to end this war.”