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Al Jazeera
29-05-2025
- Health
- Al Jazeera
Israel is burning Gaza's children. And the world lets it happen
Dr Alaa al-Najjar, a 36-year-old paediatrician and mother of 10, spent the morning of Friday, May 23, doing what she had devoted her life to: Saving children at Gaza's Nasser Hospital. By nightfall, she was no longer a healer but a mourner, cradling the charred, dismembered remains of her own children – Yahya, Rakan, Ruslan, Jubran, Eve, Revan, Sayden, Luqman, and Sidra. Seven were confirmed dead. Two remain buried beneath the rubble, including her youngest, six-month-old Sayden, still asleep in his crib when Dr al-Najjar kissed him goodbye that morning. In just one Israeli air strike – in just one minute – her entire world was annihilated. Her husband Hamdy, 40, also a doctor, and their son Adam, 11, are in the ICU, their lives hanging by a thread inside Gaza's disintegrating health system – not by chance but by design. The repeated, intentional targeting of hospitals and clinics has left Gaza's healthcare infrastructure in ruins. In just one week, 12 of Gaza's most dedicated nurses were killed, one by one. Commenting on the family's condition, Dr Graeme Groom, a British surgeon working in Nasser Hospital who operated on them, said the father had suffered a 'penetrating injury to his head', while 'Adam's left arm was just about hanging off; he was covered in fragment injuries and had several substantial lacerations.' Her daughter Revan's body was burned beyond recognition – 'nothing remained of her skin or flesh,' her uncle said. In tears, Dr Alaa begged rescuers to let her hold her daughter one last time. Sadly, the white shrouds wrapped around the bodies of Gaza's children continue to mount. Yaqeen Hammad is now one of those shrouded and buried children. Just 11 years old, Yaqeen was one of Gaza's youngest social media influencers. In her short life, she embodied what Palestinian scholar and poet Rafeef Ziadah called Palestinian ways in 'teaching life'. Yaqeen made desserts. She delivered food. She brought happiness to children who had lost everything. In one of her videos, while preparing food, she told the world: 'In Gaza, we don't know the word impossible.' This was her crime. On May 23, the same day Alaa's children were incinerated, Israel decided that Yaqeen was somehow a threat to its existence. Multiple air raids hit her neighbourhood in Deir el-Balah and ended her life. She was one of 18,000 Palestinian children killed since October, one of 1,300+ since Israel broke the ceasefire in March, and one of dozens in just 48 hours. Commenting on the moral double standards applied to Palestinians, Dan Sheehan, editor at Literary Hub, noted: 'If an 11-year-old Israeli influencer – a girl who delivered food and toys to displaced children – had been killed, the Empire State Building would be lit up for her. Her face would be on the homepage of every major US news outlet. Her name would be on the tongue of every politician.' But, for Yaqeen, there is only silence. A seasoned Palestinian diplomat at the UN, Riyad Mansour, was so disturbed by the scale of this destruction against children that he broke down in tears during a statement. Video footage showed Danny Danon – his Israeli counterpart – stifling a yawn in response. In the face of the death of Palestinian children, Israel yawns in indifference. This is unsurprising, with a recent poll showing that 82 percent of Jewish Israelis support expelling Palestinians from Gaza. How can Palestinians be told, then, to bring themselves – and their children – to Israeli military aid delivery stations and expect safety, not savagery? 'How,' in the words of leading Gaza human rights lawyer Raji Sourani, 'could the hand that kills also become the hand that feeds?' Of course, the answer is that it cannot: Israel's killing hands are reaching far into the Gaza Strip, and children feel the brunt. One of those who avoided the fate of martyrdom is Ward al-Sheikh Khalil, a five-year-old girl who was sheltering at a UN school. She awoke to flames engulfing the classroom where her family was sleeping. Her mum and siblings were killed in the Israeli strike. The roof collapsed, and she was filmed as she tried to escape while her small body was swallowed by smoke and chaos. Rescued by a medic, she whispered, when asked where her mother and siblings were: 'Under the rubble.' Another young girl was pulled from beneath the ruins of the classroom, her body half burned. Will her pain be enough to move the hearts of politicians? How many girls like her? How many boys? How many broken, charred, or buried bodies will it take before this genocide is named and stopped? Will the number of 18,000 Palestinian children – whose names we may never fully know – not be enough? In December 2023, UNICEF, the UN's children's agency, declared: 'The Gaza Strip is the most dangerous place in the world to be a child.' On May 27, the organisation stated that 'Since the end of the ceasefire on 18 March, 1,309 children have reportedly been killed and 3,738 injured. In total, more than 50,000 children have reportedly been killed or injured since October 2023. How many more dead girls and boys will it take? What level of horror must be livestreamed before the international community fully steps up, uses its influence, and takes bold, decisive action to force the end of this ruthless killing of children?' Typically, when a building is on fire, all emergency measures are taken to save lives. No efforts are spared. In Vietnam, the cries of one napalmed child – 9-year-old Phan Thi Kim Phuc – galvanised global efforts to stop the war. The body of one small Syrian boy – 3-year-old Alan Kurdi – moved an entire continent to receive refugees. But, in Gaza, girls running from fire, pulled from the rubble and burned beyond recognition are not enough to provoke action. In Gaza, when children are caught in the fire of relentless bombing, the world turns its back. No amount of pain or suffering seems to inspire the leaders of this world to take action to put out this raging inferno on the bodies of the innocents. As Jehad Abusalim, executive director of the Institute for Palestine Studies USA, put it with raw clarity: 'Why did burning girls matter in Vietnam but not in Gaza?' In Vietnam, a single image – the napalmed girl running down a road – shook the American conscience. But 'in Gaza, there are dozens of 'napalm girl' moments every single day. These images don't arrive filtered through distant photo wires or delayed coverage; they come live, unfiltered, and relentless. The world is not lacking in evidence. It is drowning in it. So why doesn't it react?' One small glint of hope comes from the 1,200 Israeli academics who have signed a protest letter focused on Palestinian suffering. Their moral clarity is reflected in a very simple statement: We can't say we didn't know. Let these words pierce the conscience of every politician and every diplomat in the Western world: You cannot say you didn't know. The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera's editorial stance.
Daily Tribune
29-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Tribune
Education and Care Must Work Hand in Hand
TDT | Manama Speaking at the Bahrain International Conference on Family Medicine and Primary Healthcare, renowned educator and surgeon Prof. Hossam Hamdy delivered an eye-opening address on the critical need for adopting systems thinking in the rapidly evolving landscape of health professions education. Prof. Hamdy emphasized that education and healthcare are deeply interconnected systems. 'Care drives education, and education drives care,' he explained. "To respond effectively to healthcare challenges, we must produce professionals who are not only technically competent but capable of adapting to changing systems, technologies, and societal expectations." He stressed the growing importance of aligning medical education with community needs, noting that public expectations of healthcare have changed dramatically over the last two decades. 'Educational institutions must be agile and responsive, recognizing that what happens in one part of the world—whether a health crisis or a breakthrough—has ripple effects globally.' Value-Based Systems Prof. Hamdy criticized traditional, fragmented models of healthcare and education, which he said often result in poor patient outcomes, inefficiencies, and high costs. Instead, he advocated for value-based care—a model that prioritizes quality and outcomes over volume. 'We are shifting from disease-centered care to wellness-focused systems,' he noted. "And our education must follow suit." He also highlighted the global shift from siloed, discipline-specific training to interprofessional and team-based models of education. 'Medical, pharmacy, and nursing students must be trained together to work collaboratively. Waiting until professionals are in the field to teach teamwork is too late.' He concluded with a call to action for academic leaders and program designers, 'Anyone leading an educational program must understand that they are part of a broader system. Fragmentation must be replaced with integration—across disciplines, sectors, and learning phases. Only then can we produce healthcare professionals who are prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.'
Egypt Independent
30-04-2025
- Health
- Egypt Independent
Egyptian Veterinarians Syndicate warns of rising stray dog populations
The Deputy Head of the Egyptian Veterinarians Syndicate, Mahmoud Hamdy, warned of the rising numbers of stray dogs in Egypt, and noted the lack of accurate statistics on the matter. During a telephone interview with TV host Lamis al-Hadidi on the'Last Word' (Kalema Akhera) TV show, on 'ON' channel, Hamdy pointed out that all current estimates range between 20-30 million stray dogs. These numbers mean there is one dog for every five citizens based on a population of 110 million, which is a figure he considered too large. Hamdy warned this issue will only get worse, as stay dogs reproduce rapidly – a single female dog is capable of giving birth to between five and 10 puppies twice a year. He emphasized that veterinary authorities follow the international guidelines of the World Animal Health Organization, which stipulate that aggressive dogs should be captured by specialists, not veterinarians, to protect veterinarians from the risk of being bitten or infected with rabies. Hamdy also denied the use of poisoning methods to address the problem currently. There are approximately 91,000 licensed veterinarians in Egypt in all specialties, he said, although accurate statistics are not available for those who specialize in dogs and cats specifically.
Al Jazeera
19-03-2025
- General
- Al Jazeera
‘Table of mercy', how Egyptians feed hundreds in Ramadan
Cairo, Egypt – An hour before iftar time, people start to slow down amid the hustle and bustle of Sayeda Zeinab and gather on a street facing the Sayeda Zeinab Mosque. Sayeda Zeinab is one of Egypt's holiest sites, said to be where the granddaughter of the Prophet Muhammad is buried. People come from across Egypt to pray and hold vigils there, seeking miracles that many believe happen there. During Ramadan, the mosque overlooks a 'table of mercy' set up by volunteers to feed the needy and passers-by at iftar time, an old tradition across Egypt. Table of mercy The gathering people hurry to get a seat. At one of the tables, two-year-old Jana crawls from one end to the other. 'Whose baby is this, for God's sake?' a seated man jokes. Other diners are playing with her as if she were their own. 'She belongs to the lady handing out spoons,' a volunteer responds, pointing at a slim young woman wearing a black hijab who is running up and down. 'She's not one of the usual volunteers. She just showed up today wanting to help.' Volunteers of all ages, most of them from the neighbourhood, hustle to give everyone a bottle of water, a juice box and a meal pack containing a date, rice, potatoes and chicken. They're also fasting but will eat last to make sure none of the 400 or so diners is left unserved as the sun sets, marking the moment attendees can start to eat and drink. 'We organise easily to help' 'We're not unique. Every 10 metres [33ft] you have a table of mercy,' says Hamdy, 40, a cheerful, red-bearded man who has volunteered for five years in a row. '[Egyptians] organise easily to help.' His arms are loaded with food boxes as the Maghreb (sunset) call to prayer sounds – he eats a few dates and continues serving. Hamdy also lives in Sayeda Zeinab, running a small coffee shop in the narrow streets of the old market. The other volunteers, mostly his friends and relatives, also run small shops and stands in the market, selling fabric, clothes and food. Once they're done volunteering, they will go back to their shops to try to make money during a month when revenue sinks as fasting changes shopping times and patterns. Rather than dwell on that, they take things slow and focus on helping others. 'There is no place like Egypt during Ramadan,' Hamdy says as he looks at the cheerful liveliness as people begin eating. 'We receive donations from many countries, especially the Gulf, that want to do good deeds but know that something like this cannot be organised anywhere else. 'Besides the monetary donations, neighbours come and offer help too. One day, someone may donate meat, another day rice or vegetables,' he adds. There's a core volunteer team of about 15 men, all vendors in the Sayeda Zeinab market devoted to not missing a day of charity work. The kitchen is the domain of young Mostafa, who works as a chef at other charity kitchens year-round. 'The rest is done by whoever shows up. There are no hierarchies or specific roles. We leave everything to God, and it always ends up working out,' Hamdy says, a finger pointing to the sky. A bit of good-natured shouting as the food is distributed is part of the magic. 'Rush guys. Bring a bottle of water to these young men. Come on!' an old man sitting to one side, waving his walking stick, says. The man says he has lived in Sayeda Zeinab his whole life and has heard about this table but is attending for the first time today. He explains quietly that he's alone this Ramadan, which is why he decided to come and share iftar with others, but he doesn't seem to want to say much more. Hassan, an energetic volunteer in a lime-green hoodie, is scolded by the older volunteers for joking around while distributing the food, but it all ends in laughter. 'We were able to eat one iftar with our families at home, so that mum would not feel sad,' Hassan says as he smiles, 'but the rest of the days, we are here on duty, and we're all like brothers now.' A centuries-old tradition At the warehouse where the food is stored, a placard with a verse from the Quran reminds passers-by why volunteers have taken on this month-long mission: 'And [they] give food, in spite of their love for it, to the poor, the orphan and the captive, saying: 'We feed you only for the sake of God, seeking neither reward nor thanks from you.'' In Islam, worshippers are encouraged to perform good deeds throughout the year, especially during Ramadan. In Egypt, these tables of mercy are a massive phenomenon that goes as far back as the 800s. It is said that in 872, the ruler of Egypt at the time, Ahmad Ibn Tulun, organised something similar to a Ramadan table of mercy for people from diverse backgrounds. However, the phenomenon really took shape during the Fatimid dynasty under Al-Mu'izz li-Din Allah al-Fatimi (953-975). Preserved and passed down through the generations, the tradition became more widespread and essential during times of financial struggle. For example, after the twin calamities of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine hit the Egyptian economy exceptionally hard, inflation reached a record high of 41 percent in 2023. Talking about the current struggles is common across the tables, where newspapers are soon unfurled. The International Monetary Fund is holding meetings with Egypt about past loans and a new $1.3bn package – which everyone knows means more austerity measures are coming. The kitchen and storage facility that volunteers use belongs to a service that provides free weekly meals to some poor families but on a much smaller scale than this table of mercy, which is an independent, neighbours-led initiative started five years ago. 'We decided to organise these tables during Ramadan because every time there were more people in need, and the available tables of mercy in the neighbourhood were not enough,' says Mostafa, one of the first volunteers to help at this table in 2020. 'Can I get an extra food box?' Jana's mother asks after she finishes volunteering and gets her baby back – a question volunteers get asked every day. The policy is strict, though: Everyone gets a single box, whether you are a volunteer, a person in need or someone who passed by at the time to break the fast and was invited to join. A table for all Hamdy stresses that these tables are open to anyone. Nobody asks whether you are in need or judges you or your clothes. 'We feed anyone who passes by. All are welcome.' Among those sitting is a couple in their 70s from the northeastern Cairo district of el-Marg visiting a relative in a nearby hospital. 'We didn't have time to get home to break our fast. It's quite far, so we were happy to see the tables and be able to not spend at a restaurant.' A few Sudanese families are at a corner at the other end of the table, and some younger people are also sitting, mostly students from other regions in Egypt. 'My family lives in Tanta, and during my first Ramadan alone, these tables helped me feel at home,' 24-year-old Ahmed says. After the stress of the food distribution, Hamdy and his colleagues, joined by passers-by, clean the tables and fold them to be stored until the following day. Inside the storage room, they eat some leftovers. Their smiles suggest the effort was worth it. 'Seeing people sitting and enjoying their time, even for a few minutes of their days, fills us with joy,' Hamdy says as the other boys nod roundly. 'We wait the whole year so that we can come together and do this again.'
Al Bawaba
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Bawaba
Hesham Maged and Asmaa Galal say goodbye in Ashghal Shaqah Geda episode 15
ALBAWABA - Hesham Maged and Asmaa Galal face unexpected turns in Ashghal Shaqah Geda episode 15. Also Read Ramadan 2025: Where will Ramez Galal's 'Ramez Elon Masr' be aired? "I would rather not act again!" Yasmine commented following a humorous and unexpected scenario in Ashghal Shaqah Gedan episode 15, in which she fell to the ground and got her face soaked in water due to an unforeseen circumstance that arose during production. In celebration, the whole cast and crew sang "Wallahi wa Amaluha el Regala." As the show progresses, Dr. Hamdy (Hesham Maged) and his wife Yasmine (Asmaa Galal) are forced to deal with the new maid, "Manal" (Rehab El Gamal), who has a serious mental illness that makes her cry all the time. When she tries suicide in her room after learning that her job has been terminated, things take a surprising turn, and the pair steps in to save her. They then decide to have Manal attend Dr. Ghandour for a psychological consultation to assist her in overcoming her experience. In a different context, Dr. Hamdy is still trying to get a Maldivian work visa. When he arrives at the embassy, he is shocked to see that his mother, Sherine, is also there to apply for a visa and accompany him on his trip. His mother, however, tries to stop him from going, claiming that he is not Muslim because the embassy does not provide non-Muslims work visas to the Maldives. Compelled to travel to Al-Azhar to pick up a document attesting to his conversion to Islam, Dr. Hamdy eventually receives the visa. In a last scene with his friend Arabi, Dr. Hamdy gets ready to leave for the Maldives with his wife Yasmine, his kids, and his mother. When Arabi lodges a complaint against him, accusing him of "disrupting a historical monument," he is banned from travel, which is an unexpected shock at the last minute. asmaa_galal Instagram Using his official Instagram account, actor Hesham Maged said goodbye to the drama series "Ashghal Shaqah Geda" (Very Hard Work), which aired during the first half of the Ramadan 2025 season. Hesham Maged shared a photo of himself with the actors on his official Instagram account, captioning it, "The series is complete... I hope you're content. The last episode of "Ashghal Shaqah Geda" (Very Hard Work), which airs on Friday, March 14, is quickly approaching. Hesham Maged, who plays a forensic doctor, and Asmaa Galal, who plays a media personality, are the subjects of a social comedy about a married couple that is the focus of the second season of "Ashghal Shaqah Geda" (Very Hard Work). The show was a huge creative and popular triumph when it aired during Ramadan last year. The cast of "Ashghal Shaqah Gadda" is on television. In addition to Hesham Maged, the series "Ashghal Shaqah Gadda" features several well-known celebrities, including Mustafa Gharib, Salwa Mohamed Ali, and Sherine, as well as several cameos. Abdullah Abu Al-Fotouh is the producer, Khaled Diab is the director, and Khaled and Sherine Diab wrote the show. Dates of the Ashghal Shaqah Gadda Episode 15 Broadcast The 15th episode of the television series "Ashghal Shaqah Gadda" will be shown simultaneously on the Shahid platform and MBC Masr channels at 8 PM.
