BBC Paramedic Nevine al Dawawi describes Jabalia as being under siege by Israeli forces. It is difficult for those outside Gaza to truly grasp the extent of the suffering endured by civilians in the region. A video from Jabalia on Monday 21 October provided a harrowing glimpse into the horrors faced by civilians in northern Gaza due to Israel’s ongoing offensive.
The video shows paramedic Nevine al Dawawi in a state of panic as she navigates through the chaos and devastation following an attack on the Jabalia Boys Elementary school, which was being used as a shelter for displaced civilians. She frantically tries to help the wounded and dying, using whatever limited resources she has at her disposal.
The heartbreaking video also captures the anguish of a mother, Lina Ibrahim Abu Namos, who lost two of her children in the attack. Nevine recounts the fear and desperation experienced by those trapped in the school for days, with no access to food or water, as Israeli drones buzzed overhead.
The paramedic refutes claims by the IDF that Hamas was using civilians as human shields, stating that they were actually protecting and standing with the civilians. The attack on the school raises questions about the justification for such actions under the laws of war, particularly when considering the disproportionate harm inflicted on innocent civilians.
The atrocities witnessed in Jabalia serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the urgent need for an end to the violence and protection of civilians.