The Chicago surgeon treating wounded in Syria, Ukraine and Gaza
Dr. Samer Attar remembers all his patients, he said — and there are a lot of them.
The Chicago surgeon, 49, recently finished a fifth mission to Gaza and he's also treated the wounded in Syria and Ukraine, risking life and limb to help the victims of war. Attar is also a professor of surgery at Northwestern University.
"I can't repair the world. But I can stand next to you. I can live amongst you. I can share your grief. I can feel your fear. I can serve your community," Attar told 60 Minutes after a recent trip to Gaza. "I can bear witness to your suffering. And then just make some noise about it. And it's not much, but it beats burying your head in hatred and violence and ignorance."
60 Minutes viewers first met Attar in Syria — his parents' home country — in 2017. At the time, hospitals were being bombed, and more than 800 medical staffers had died in attacks. It was Attar's fourth trip to the war zone. He was there as a volunteer with the Syrian American Medical Society.
"You work with the understanding that you might find yourself dead, or crippled, or dismembered on the floor next to the people you're trying to save," Attar told 60 Minutes at the time.
Dr. Attar continued visiting the war-torn country, including
after a 2023 earthquake
. At the time, he told 60 Minutes about a surgery he performed to help a 12-year-old girl. Correspondent Scott Pelley asked Attar what moments of progress like that meant to him.
"It means that there are days where you fight bouts of helplessness and hopelessness, and you wonder what exactly you're accomplishing, and you feel like you're trying to empty the ocean with a small cup because it never ends, and the suffering never ends and it never seems to be going away," Attar said. "But it's those, it's those brief flashes that are enough to keep you going for another month."
60 Minutes spoke with Attar most recently in the Gulf state of Qatar, where some of his patients from Gaza have evacuated amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Attar described hospitals flooded with people in need and operating on patients on floors smeared with dirt and blood.
"The bombs land so close you feel the hospital shaking," Attar said. "At times the fighting and conflict is so intense you feel like the hospital will-- is gonna collapse on top of you."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
19 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Cities Most at Risk for Rise in Heart Attacks as Canadian Wildfires Burn
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Some residents of several major cities in the Midwest could face an increased risk of heart attack and stroke as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to descend into the United States this week. "Exposure to particulate matter air pollution causes inflammation in the lungs. This can manifest as worsening of respiratory symptoms, particularly in people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease," Dr. Scott Budinger, the chief of pulmonary and critical care in the Department of Medicine at Northwestern University, told Newsweek. "[E]ven more importantly, exposure to particulate matter air pollution acutely increases the risk of heart attacks or strokes," he added. Why It Matters The widespread drift of wildfire smoke from Canada into U.S. metropolitan areas carries significant public health implications. Medical research has documented an association between exposure to fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) and acute increases in heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events. Vulnerable groups, particularly people living with coronary artery disease, histories of heart attacks or strokes, and chronic respiratory illness, are at elevated risk. With urban centers housing millions, the threat is not only environmental but medical, affecting emergency room capacities and potentially increasing mortality rates. Previous wildfire smoke events, such as those seen in 2023, have already demonstrated the potential for widespread air quality degradation and related health emergencies across city populations. What To Know Smoke from Canadian wildfires has degraded air quality across the Upper Midwest for over a week. The smoke has even reached the U.S. Gulf Coast, where it had less of an impact on physical health. At least eight states were under air quality alerts on Thursday morning, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) AirNow map showing the current Air Quality Index as "unhealthy" in areas such as Chicago, Illinois, and Lansing and Grand Rapids, Michigan. This AQI is unhealthy for everyone to breathe. A map from the U.S. EPA's AirNow shows cities with unhealthy air quality as of Thursday morning at 11 a.m. Eastern time. A map from the U.S. EPA's AirNow shows cities with unhealthy air quality as of Thursday morning at 11 a.m. Eastern time. AirNow The less severe but still impactful Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups AQI was much more widespread, stretching across parts of Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and into the Northeast, including Maine and New York. Wildfire smoke contains high concentrations of PM2.5—fine particulate matter that can enter the lungs and bloodstream. Exposure is linked to worsening symptoms in those with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but acute cardiovascular risks, including heart attacks and strokes, may be even more pronounced. City populations face greater danger when air pollution is trapped near the surface during stagnant weather conditions. In some instances, people were asked to monitor themselves for symptoms such as coughing during the poor air quality event. If coughs persist for more than seven days or are accompanied by shortness of breath, people should visit their doctor or seek more urgent care if necessary. People are urged to remain indoors and keep their windows closed to prevent exposure. What People Are Saying Dr. Scott Budinger, the chief of pulmonary and critical care in the Department of Medicine at Northwestern University, told Newsweek: "People who have known blockages in their arteries or a history of heart attacks or strokes and people with chronic lung diseases like asthma and COPD should avoid exposure. They should also be vigilant about taking all of the prescribed medications for their disease." Budinger added: "You can reduce the risk of exposure by staying indoors with the windows closed. Indoor levels of particulate matter air pollution are typically much lower than those outside in a heated or air conditioned home or business—as much as 10 times less. For example, it might be better to take a walk in a health club or mall rather than outside if the particulate levels are high." An air quality alert issued in Michigan: "It is recommended that, when possible, you avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory diseases like asthma. Monitor for symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in nose, throat, and eyes. Reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning, and use of residential wood burning devices." What Happens Next Air quality alerts remained in effect in many cities in the Upper Midwest through the end of the week, with meteorologists forecasting that wildfire smoke could persist for several more days. Public health officials continue to advise at-risk populations in major cities to closely monitor advisories, limit outdoor activities during high-pollution periods, and use indoor air filtration.
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Israeli community shows support for Boulder, Colorado in aftermath of attack
Hundreds of people from the Boulder community joined Jewish leaders from outside the state to come together in a night of music, unity and hope days after an attack on Pearl Street. A total of 15 people were injured at a rally on Sunday, calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza, and the suspect is facing 16 counts of attempted murder, as well as federal hate crime charges. Wednesday night's community vigil at the Boulder JCC. CBS "It's shocking to know in this quiet city in Boulder, Colorado, we're experiencing a terrorist attack," said Israel Bachar, Consul General of Israel to the Pacific Southwest. Among the crowd of people who attended a community vigil at the Boulder JCC following Sunday's attack on Pearl Street were religious leaders and Jewish allies. Bachar also made the flight from California to Colorado to show his support on behalf of the Israeli community. He says he learned about the Pearl Street attack less than an hour after it happened. The prime minister of Israel called right away and wanted an update from the ambassador in Washington," he said. "The whole Israeli system started to gear up and gather information. We put our security on alert, and we were in touch with a high official in Washington to get information on what is going on in the community." Israel Bachar, Consul General of Israel to the Pacific Southwest. CBS He also spent the day on Wednesday meeting with Boulder city leaders at the memorial, as well as one of the victims who was hospitalized with burns. "She has burns in her leg, second degree, and in her hand. She has a good spirit, but she's still shocked over what happened," said Bachar. "It was just her second time she was marching with the group for the hostages. You have to remember, these people were standing for what? For calling to release civilians who are being held right now by Hamas in Gaza." People who spoke up during the community vigil say these rally-goers who were attacked on the mall were only trying to send a message against violence, which should never have been met with violence in return. "The Jewish community here is not alone. There are forces in the world here that will support them, and an event like this will not go unanswered," said one council member. Jewish and Israeli leaders hope that this week's gatherings will encourage people in the community to feel like they can attend Jewish events this weekend. The scene of the attack on Pearl Street. CBS "By coming on Sunday, you tell everybody, including the terrorist, you're not going to win," said Bachar. "That's what we're doing in Israel. That's what we need to do here."
an hour ago
Aid distribution resumes in Gaza, humanitarian group says
Editor's note: This story contains descriptions of graphic violence. Aid distribution through the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites (GHF) resumed at two sites in Rafah, Gaza, on Thursday, the group said. One of the sites, which has been used by GHF previously, is now closed after distribution was finished for the day, the U.S.-backed group said. The second site is a new one that is located 1 kilometer away and will open at 2:15 p.m. local time, according to the GHF. Aid in Gaza was paused after several people died and were injured trying to reach the sites to obtain food, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health, eyewitness reports on the ground and international aid organizations working in Gaza. Palestinians described harrowing scenes of bullets flying and people dying around them as they tried to get aid with a famine looming in Gaza. The U.S.- and Israel -backed GHF suspended distribution of aid in Gaza on Wednesday after a deadly shooting left at least 27 people dead and more than 90 others injured on Tuesday while people were trying to reach one of the distribution sites in southern Gaza, according to Gaza health officials, eyewitnesses on the ground in Gaza and the International Committee of the Red Cross working on the ground in Gaza. The GHF asked the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to "enhance its security measures beyond the perimeter," "develop clearer guidance" and "enhance IDF force training to support safety," a GHF source told ABC News on Wednesday. The newly established food distribution centers, constructed last month according to satellite imagery obtained and reviewed by ABC News, in southern Gaza have been overrun since they opened last week, with thousands of Palestinians in search of food and medicine following Israel's partial lifting of the 11-week blockade of aid, according to aid groups. The Israeli government imposed an 11-week blockade on all humanitarian aid entering Gaza on March 2, after the temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas ended. The Israeli government said the blockade was put in place to pressure Hamas to release the remaining hostages being held in Gaza. One Palestinian who was injured trying to get flour at one of the sites said he was "surprised to find bullets hitting us," when he went in search of food. "I went to get some flour -- only flour. Just a kilo or two of flour for our home. We were surprised to find bullets hitting us. Even lying on the ground bullets were still hitting us," Kamel Muhanna, a Palestinian who was injured while attempting to receive aid in Rafah, told ABC News. Muhanna described people dying around him while he was near the aid distribution site trying to get food. Those whose family members were with them collected their bodies, but those who did not remained on the ground, he said. "The bullet passed through the head of the young man in front of me and then hit me. There were like 100 in front of me and I still got hit," Muhanna said. "If the bullet hadn't killed the young man in front of me, it would have taken off my arm." Dozens of Palestinians were killed and hundreds more were injured in two events in the last week, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health and the International Committee of the Red Cross working on the ground in Gaza. Nasser NaserAllah, a Palestinian who was being treated inside Nasser Hospital, told ABC News the aid "is like a trap." "If there wasn't aid, fewer people would have died," he said. "They killed women, children [there was] blood on the ground everywhere -- huge tragedies." The IDF acknowledged they "carried out warning fire approximately half a kilometer from the aid distribution center, targeting a few individuals who were approaching in a way that posed a security threat," in a video statement given in English by IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin. In a statement released on Tuesday, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said they have responded to five incidents, four of which had occurred in the previous 96 hours. The majority of victims suffered gunshot wounds, and "all responsive patients said they were trying to reach an assistance distribution site," the ICRC said. The GHF said it closed the distribution sites Wednesday for "preparations and staging" to prepare for the large number of people it expects to arrive. "We did not expect 15,000 per hour," the GHF said in the statement. At the same time, the GHF said in a statement to media Tuesday they have distributed approximately 7 million meals in Gaza since they began operating last week. The GHF also said they distributed 21 truckloads of food, totaling 20,160 boxes providing approximately 1,159,200 meals to Palestinians on Tuesday morning. Established international aid groups operating inside Gaza -- including Amnesty International and the ICRC -- and the United Nations have criticized the U.S.-backed aid distribution plan, saying it is militarized and negates the neutrality of international humanitarian work. NaserAllah claimed that the situation goes beyond hunger. "People are living in famine," he said. Gaza's entire population is experiencing critical levels of hunger, according to a report released last month. Gaza's 2.1 million residents will face a "crisis" level of food insecurity -- or worse -- through the end of September, according to an Integrated Food Security Phase Classification partnership report. He also noted that people are forced to go to the aid distribution areas despite the risks. "A week ago, my cousin Ibn Hassoonah, went to the aid station. They shot him dead [but we still go] because of the severity of the hunger," he said. "If they don't die from bullets, they die from hunger."
