Israel Rejects U.S. Doctor for Third Volunteer Mission to Gaza: A Targeting of Truth-Tellers?
In an Amman hotel room, Dr. Mimi Syed, a Washington state-based emergency medicine physician, finds herself surrounded by infant formula and resuscitation equipment intended for Gaza. The volunteer mission to the embattled region with a U.S. medical aid group was thwarted when Israeli authorities unexpectedly denied her entry, offering no explanation.
Syed has previously spoken publicly about her experiences in Gaza, detailing instances of treating injured children, rising malnutrition rates, and preventable deaths due to a lack of basic medical supplies. She believes her vocal criticism may have contributed to the denial of entry.
The Israeli military’s actions come as foreign journalists are increasingly being barred from entering Gaza, leaving doctors and nurses as some of the few international witnesses to the conflict’s devastating impact on civilians.
“It seems like this is a targeted approach against those who are exposing the truth in Gaza,” Syed comments, alluding to Israel’s decision to prevent foreign medical professionals from working in the region.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concern over what it calls “arbitrary denials” of emergency medical staff by Israel, which it believes is leading to more deaths in Gaza. Since the start of the conflict in October 2023, health authorities report that Israeli strikes have claimed the lives of about 1,500 local medical staff, while many others have been repeatedly displaced by attacks.
Medical aid groups submit applications for international volunteer missions to Gaza weeks in advance, with WHO serving as a liaison between the organizations and the Israeli government. According to these groups, Israel requires doctors applying for the mission to be physically present at the border just before the mission starts, but only notifies them hours in advance if they are approved.
Syed reports that a French doctor due to accompany her on the mission was also denied entry, while a third member of their team, a nurse, was approved. However, because she was required to travel with physicians, none were able to go. The rejection was particularly disheartening for Syed, who had developed a close relationship with a sixth-year medical student in Gaza.
“I speak with her daily,” Syed says. “She is like my sister.” Upon hearing the news of her denial, the medical student reportedly sent a voice message that sounded like a farewell, citing despair and a desire for death amidst ongoing drone activity in the background. The emotional impact on Syed was significant, as she expressed feeling helpless to provide support for the young woman facing multiple displacements, food scarcity, and homelessness.
Israel prohibits medical supplies from being brought into Gaza during these missions, further complicating efforts to address the region’s critical healthcare needs. Israel did not respond to NPR’s requests for comment on the matter.
Syed’s determination to return to Gaza remains undeterred, driven by her compassion for the children she encounters and her desire to help alleviate their suffering. Her dedication underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region and the crucial role medical professionals play in bearing witness and providing care amidst conflict.