**Paramedic Shares Heartbreaking Experience in Gaza**
A paramedic from Kettering, Northamptonshire, has shared his harrowing experience working in Gaza, where he witnessed the devastating effects of conflict on innocent civilians. Sam Sears, 44, a paramedic with East Midlands Ambulance Service, spent three weeks with UK-Med, a charity that provides medical aid to people affected by conflict.
Sears was stationed in Gaza for three weeks, during which time he treated numerous casualties, including children as young as nine and 11 who had died from blast wounds. “It’s usually a very calm and slow situation that allows parents to grieve,” Sears said, describing the scene he encountered on his first day of work.
One of the most traumatic experiences for Sears was when a 16-year-old boy was paralysed after suffering shrapnel and blast wounds. His 18-year-old brother broke down in tears upon learning that he would have to care for him alone. This moment, however, also highlighted the resilience of people affected by conflict.
**A “Times 1000” Conflict**
Sears compared his experience in Gaza to other humanitarian work he had done in various countries, saying that Gaza was similar but “times 1000”. He noted that the scale of casualties and the intensity of violence made it one of the most challenging environments he had encountered.
Gaza’s Hamas health ministry has reported that over 61,000 Palestinians have died as a result of Israel’s military campaign since 2023. The conflict began after a Hamas attack on southern Israel in October last year, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the taking of 251 hostages.
**A Glimmer of Hope**
Despite the devastation he witnessed, Sears found solace in moments like saving a young child’s life. “We got them to surgery in 20 minutes,” he said, recalling the dramatic rescue mission. When he saw the child recovering well the next day, Sears was reminded that even amidst chaos, there are moments of hope and humanity.
As Sears returned to the UK on July 31st, he carried with him a deeper understanding of the complexities of conflict in Gaza. His experience serves as a poignant reminder of the need for humanitarian aid and the resilience of people affected by war.
