23 March 2025

Blowing up a cancer hospital as self defence

Gerry O’Hare originally shared these words in December 2023. Last week, Israel bombed the Turkish Cancer Hospital in Gaza. We continue to be told that Hamas is everywhere, and that the US Colony in the Middle East – Israel – is acting in self-defense.

My name is Gerry O’Hare. I am an oncology advanced nurse practitioner in Glasgow. I have supported cancer care in Palestine for 12 years — initially in Bethlehem University, developing the first cancer nurse post-graduate diploma in cancer and palliative care, and for the last five years working with Medical Aid for Palestinians and Scottish colleagues on breast services in Gaza. Just over ten weeks ago, I was in Gaza supporting the first ever cancer nurse conference. I spent time with 30 of the most dedicated nurses you could meet.

All 30 are now displaced. Some have sent pictures of their bombed homes and injuries. Others are no longer in contact. I fear the worst.

Nidal, a cancer nurse at the Turkish Cancer Hospital, shared live images of Israeli jets bombing his unit. My MAP colleagues in Gaza have lost homes and loved ones.

One of the medics I worked with was Abdellatif Al Haj. Fifty members of his family were killed in a rocket attack on their home in South Gaza. His daughter Dima, a healthcare worker with the WHO, was killed alongside her husband and five-month-old son.

Dima stayed with us while studying at Glasgow University. Just days before she died, she asked us to pray for her, hoping her son Abood would live a better life than she had.

Tomorrow marks 75 years since the Declaration on Human Rights and the Genocide Convention — when the world said “never again.”

We are witnessing genocide in real time. No one can say they didn’t know. My friends in Palestine say never again should the EU and US dare lecture anyone about human rights.

Rasha, a MAP colleague who supports our Breast Cancer Missions, has been displaced three times. On Tuesday night she wrote:

“Alhamdulillah, dear Gerry, we are okay. However, lost access to water… we try our best to save the resources we have. Air, land and sea bombardments are non-stop. The most difficult thing in Gaza is to stay alive — death is more merciful.”

Farah, a young medic from Bethlehem who trained with us in Glasgow, sent this message:

“My hand is shaking and my heart is shattered. This genocide will swallow every jot of hope if it doesn’t stop. But your solidarity is the only hope we have. Keep our flag flying high, our kufiyah around your neck, and our name alive — because we can’t. You are our voice. You are our last ignited candle. Make it everlasting.”

Gerry O’Hare has worked with MAP for 12 years in Palestine, the last five in Gaza. He was speaking at a Glasgow event held by health workers in solidarity with colleagues killed in Gaza.