Gazans on UAE's Floating Hospital Grieve Losses, Recount Tragedy Under Rubble

Malak Khalid, a 20-year-old Palestinian receiving critical care at the UAE's floating hospital in Egypt, vividly described the horror of being trapped under rubble for nearly an hour after an Israeli air strike destroyed her family's home in Gaza. The attack, which occurred in April, claimed the lives of several members of her family, leaving Malak and her two younger brothers as the only survivors.

According to Malak, the drone overhead grew louder, but she cannot recall the exact moment of impact. She recounted the aftermath, saying, "You don’t feel the strike itself; you just open your eyes under the rubble." Desperately searching for her family members amidst the debris, she found that her parents and siblings had been killed. "It was only me and my two younger brothers who survived," she lamented. "We became orphans without a house or family."

The floating hospital, stationed off the coast of Al Arish and equipped with 100 beds, was established to alleviate the strain on Gaza's overwhelmed healthcare facilities, which have been heavily targeted during the nine-month conflict with Israel. Since opening in February, the hospital has provided care to approximately 2,400 Palestinians.

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Malak shared photographs of her family members, including her two surviving brothers. Her 5-year-old brother Abdullah was in critical condition in the ICU, while Ahmad suffered a skull fracture. Malak herself sustained injuries to her hands and face. Dr. Hamed Al Ahmad, an Emirati oral and maxillofacial surgeon at the hospital, detailed Malak's treatment, which involved multiple surgeries spanning nearly three months. Procedures included nerve transplants and cosmetic surgery to remove shrapnel and aid in her recovery.

During the interview, Malak received distressing news of another Israeli air strike that destroyed her aunt's home. The ongoing violence and uncertainty continue to affect countless families, compounding their trauma and loss.

The conflict has inflicted profound suffering on Gaza's civilian population, with homes destroyed, lives shattered, and communities displaced. Kefah Zaid Hassan, another survivor treated at the hospital, shared her own harrowing experience of losing 19 family members in a single missile strike earlier in the conflict. Only she, her daughters, and her 18-year-old sister survived the attack in February.

Despite the devastation, Malak expressed gratitude for the medical care she and her family received at the floating hospital. She acknowledged the challenges of life in Gaza amid continuous bombardment, where daily existence is fraught with uncertainty and danger. As she and other patients continue their journey towards recovery, the floating hospital remains a crucial lifeline, providing essential medical care and hope amidst the ongoing conflict.