--- title: "Gaza doctors struggle with trauma from ongoing conflict" url: https://noti.group/gaza-doctors-struggle-with-trauma-from-ongoing-conflict/ language: en publisher: "Noti Group" section: "World News" published: 2026-11-01T07:24:20.000Z updated: 2026-11-01T08:40:13.877Z id: 56f4275e-b026-4919-9b09-05408ffed57c source: "Al Jazeera https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/11/1/gaza-doctors-struggle-with-bereavement-overwork-trauma-amid-genocidal-war?traffic_source=rss" attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/gaza-doctors-struggle-with-trauma-from-ongoing-conflict/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Gaza doctors struggle with trauma from ongoing conflict The mental toll of the war is taking a heavy burden on medical professionals like Manar Fayyad and Khaled Raafat, who are struggling to cope with their own personal traumas while continuing to work in high-stress environments. Gaza doctors are facing unprecedented challenges in their line of duty due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza. The mental toll of this war is taking a heavy burden on medical professionals like Manar Fayyad, a 29-year-old anaesthesiologist at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. He has been struggling with severe psychological trauma since October 2023 when Israel launched its genocidal war against Gaza. Fayyad's personal life was forever changed when he discovered that the patient lying before him in the operating room on December 27, 2023, was his own brother Shadi, who had been killed in an Israeli air strike. The young doctor recalled feeling a "strange feeling" when he approached the man and uncovered his face, only to be met with the shocking realisation that it was indeed his brother. The traumatic memory of that moment has become intertwined with Fayyad's work at the hospital, making it impossible for him to continue in his profession. He has been unable to shake off the psychological effects of what he experienced and has withdrawn from social life, avoiding people and noise as he searches for peace. As a result, Fayyad has brought his professional career to an early end, struggling to cope with his trauma without seeking any professional help. Sitting by the sea offers some solace for Fayyad, allowing him to express his pain through writing and process the trauma he has endured. However, he remains preoccupied with the idea of leaving Gaza, hoping that distance will provide a respite from the constant reminders of his loss. Fayyad's situation is not unique; many healthcare workers in Gaza are struggling to cope with their own personal traumas while continuing to work in a high-stress environment. The ongoing conflict has taken a devastating toll on the medical community, leaving some professionals feeling overwhelmed and unable to perform their duties effectively. Khaled Raafat, a nurse at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital's emergency department, took an extended leave of absence after suffering a personal tragedy. On October 18, 2023, his family home was hit by an Israeli air strike while he was working at the hospital, resulting in the loss of his wife, children, mother, and several siblings. Raafat has spoken publicly about the impact of this event on his life and work. He told Al Jazeera that learning of his family's fate marked a painful turning point for him, making it difficult to continue performing his duties as a nurse. The trauma experienced by medical personnel in Gaza goes beyond the staggering number of casualties they've faced during the war. A significant portion of these healthcare workers have lost loved ones, forcing them to grapple with personal bereavement alongside their professional duties. A report on the strain on medical workers in Gaza found that nearly half of those surveyed had experienced both personal loss and displacement from their workplaces. This dual burden has taken a toll on their mental health, leaving many without access to the support they need. The statistics are stark: at least 41 percent of healthcare workers reported losing family members during the conflict. Meanwhile, 46 percent have had to endure both personal bereavement and displacement from their workplaces. These numbers underscore the immense psychological burden that medical professionals in Gaza continue to carry. Despite their vital role in providing care to those affected by the war, many healthcare workers in Gaza lack access to mental health services. In fact, at least 78 percent of these staff members are unable to receive the support they need, highlighting a significant gap between the trauma they experience and their ability to cope with it. The resulting brain drain is having a devastating impact on Gaza's already-strained health system. With many medical professionals struggling to retain their remaining staff and prevent them from leaving the field altogether, the situation poses a serious challenge for the future of healthcare in the region. The strain on Gaza's healthcare system has been further exacerbated by a significant loss of medical professionals, resulting in a diminished capacity to provide essential services. This brain drain is attributed to the psychological trauma experienced by many workers, who have witnessed and participated in treating countless cases of injury and death amidst the ongoing conflict. According to Munir al-Bursh, director general of Gaza's Ministry of Health, healthcare workers are facing an impossible situation. They are torn between their duty to save lives and the emotional toll of losing loved ones. The constant pressure and lack of adequate support or rest have taken a devastating toll on these workers' physical and mental health, making it increasingly difficult for them to continue providing care. As a result, the acute shortage of medical staff has become even more pronounced, with many facilities struggling to cope with the influx of patients and wounded individuals amidst shortages of equipment and replacement personnel. The psychological strain on medical staff in Gaza has become increasingly evident as they struggle to cope with the aftermath of the devastating war. Many healthcare professionals have found themselves facing a new kind of trauma - the loss of loved ones amidst the chaos of their workplace. Nurse Hiba al-Tawil's experience is a stark example of this phenomenon. She witnessed her brother's death in the intensive care unit at the Nasser Medical Complex, where she was working at the time. This personal tragedy took a heavy toll on her mental health, making it difficult for her to cope with the loss. The hospital has established a psychological clinic specifically designed to support doctors and nurses dealing with trauma caused by bereavement and their experiences during the war. Unfortunately, some medical staff have been unable to shake off the severe psychological impact of these events, which can affect their daily lives and ability to perform their duties effectively. In an effort to mitigate this issue, some healthcare workers have sought transfers to different departments within the hospital, allowing them to distance themselves from the trauma they experienced. This temporary reprieve has provided a measure of relief for those struggling with grief and psychological pressure. Rehabilitation efforts at the Gaza Strip's main medical complex have begun to focus on treating psychological trauma caused by the ongoing conflict. A crucial part of this process involves assessing each patient's condition and developing a tailored treatment plan that addresses their specific needs. This includes diagnosing symptoms and determining their impact, which is essential for effective intervention. Treatment plans are designed to be flexible and adaptable as patients' conditions evolve. Experts point out that continued support and adherence to treatment plans are crucial for long-term recovery, allowing individuals to gradually regain control over their lives. --- Source: [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/11/1/gaza-doctors-struggle-with-bereavement-overwork-trauma-amid-genocidal-war?traffic_source=rss) Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/gaza-doctors-struggle-with-trauma-from-ongoing-conflict/