The involvement of doctors, who are entrusted with saving lives, in terrorist activities and leadership roles within extremist organizations like Hamas, casts a dark shadow over the healthcare system in these areas. The betrayal of the Hippocratic Oath by healthcare professionals who engage in terrorism is a stark reminder of the ethical breaches occurring within these institutions.
The international community and organizations like the UN cannot claim ignorance about the misuse of healthcare facilities for terrorist purposes.
1. Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Rantisi: The Co-Founder of Hamas and Pediatrician
Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Rantisi's name remains synonymous with the deeply troubling fusion of healthcare and radicalism in Gaza. A trained pediatrician, Al-Rantisi became one of the co-founders of Hamas, a group responsible for numerous acts of terrorism. Prior to his rise as a leader in Hamas, Al-Rantisi served as the head of pediatrics at Nasser Hospital, one of Gaza's largest healthcare institutions. His later involvement in militant activities—including calls for violence against Israelis—led to his assassination by Israeli forces in 2004. In a deeply controversial move, Rantisi Children’s Hospital was named in his honor after his death, a troubling example of how hospitals and healthcare institutions have been co-opted for political and militant purposes.
Nasser Hospital, where Dr. Al-Rantisi served as Head of Pediatrics, is funded by various international organizations, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), European Union (EU) humanitarian aid programs, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
2. Dr. Omar Saleh Farwaneh: A Doctor and long time Hamas Leader
Dr. Omar Saleh Farwaneh’s life is a striking example of the dangerous overlap between medicine and terrorism in Gaza. As a respected doctor, Farwaneh was a prominent figure in Hamas leadership. Known for his medical expertise, he simultaneously played a pivotal role in the militant activities of Hamas, which include orchestrating attacks against Israeli targets. He was also closely connected to several other key Hamas figures, including Abdul Aziz Al-Rantisi. His son-in-law was a spokesman for Hamas's military wing, Qassam Brigades, further solidifying Farwaneh's deep ties to extremism. Dr. Farwaneh was expelled with Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Rantisi, Hamas co-founder to Lebanon in 1992, further emphasizing his connections to Hamas leadership.
Dr. Farwaneh's father was a poet, and he recently narrated one of his father's poems that resonated with Hamas ideology: “For we are on your chests and in your graves You will leave our country from Hebron to the Negev”
Farwaneh’s assassination in 2023 by Israeli forces as part of a targeted strike raised international outcry, but many media outlets failed to highlight his affiliations with terrorism, instead focusing solely on the loss of a “doctor.” This selective portrayal of events exemplifies how the media often struggles to balance reporting on healthcare professionals with extremist links.
3. Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sittah: The ‘Hero Doctor’ with Radical Ties
Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sittah is often hailed as a “hero doctor” for his work in Gaza, but his public persona as a healthcare professional hides deeply concerning affiliations with radical ideologies. A British-Palestinian surgeon, Dr. Abu-Sittah’s role as a media figure during the Gaza conflict has made him a prominent voice in international discussions about the region. However, his praise for individuals involved in terrorism—such as his emotional eulogy for Maher Al-Yamani, a co-founder of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)—has raised alarm. Al-Yamani’s violent past, which included hijackings and anti-Israeli attacks, paints a troubling picture of the doctor's political leanings.
Abu-Sittah’s social media presence further complicates his image. He has been known to share posts expressing support for radical causes and extremist violence. These actions blur the lines between his role as a medical professional, a university professor and his political inclinations, sparking ethical debates about the role of doctors in political conflicts. He was elected Rector of Glasgow University
4. Dr. Osama Al-Muzaini: Education, Healthcare, and Hamas Affiliation
Dr. Osama Al-Muzaini’s career is another example of the blurred lines between healthcare, education, and terrorism. A medical professional and educator, Dr. Al-Muzaini held significant positions in Hamas's educational structures, serving as the Minister of Education between 2011 and 2014. He was closely associated with terrorism through his familial ties to Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. Despite his academic and medical credentials, Al-Muzaini’s position within the educational system allowed him to influence the curricula and educational policies in Gaza, further embedding Hamas's militant philosophy into the region’s academic framework.
The media’s depiction of his death as an attack on an innocent educator failed to acknowledge his deep-rooted involvement in Hamas, raising concerns about bias in reporting and the complexities of separating professional and militant roles in conflict zones.
5. Dr. Mohammed Eid Shabir: Bridging Hamas and Fatah in Healthcare and Education
Dr. Mohammed Eid Shabir's connections to both Hamas and Fatah exemplify the complex relationship between healthcare, politics, and terrorism. A highly educated microbiologist, Shabir’s ties to Hamas are undeniable—he was in line to become Prime Minister of the National Unity Government in 2007, a position that would have placed him at the center of Palestinian political life. Despite his medical and academic positions, his affiliations with terrorist organizations raise profound questions about the role of medical professionals in political extremism.
The media’s portrayal of Shabir as a victim in the ongoing conflict, without addressing his controversial political ties, only adds to the complexity of reporting on healthcare professionals with terrorist associations.
6. Dr. Adnan Al-Bursh: A Surgeon with Radical Support for Terrorism
Dr. Adnan Al-Bursh, an orthopedic surgeon in Gaza, is another example of a medical professional with extremist ties. His public support for Hamas and his controversial social media posts have drawn significant attention. Dr. Al-Bursh has openly glorified acts of terrorism, such as the October 7th massacre in Israel, where he shared images and posts celebrating terrorist attacks and the deaths of Israeli civilians. His online activity also includes praise for known terrorist leaders, such as Mazen Faqha and Basel al-Arraj.
Despite his clear ties to Hamas and radical violence, media outlets have portrayed Dr. Al-Bursh as a victim in the conflict, with little attention paid to his militant background. This selective reporting highlights the difficulties in ensuring journalistic integrity and accuracy when covering individuals with dual roles as healthcare professionals and supporters of terrorism.
7. Dr. Aysar Barghouti, Dr. Khaled Al-Kharouf, and Nurse Morid Al-Atari: Healthcare Professionals Involved in Terror Attacks
In January 2024, three healthcare professionals—Dr. Aysar Barghouti, Dr. Khaled Al-Kharouf, and Nurse Morid Al-Atari—were arrested in Ramallah for their involvement in a deadly terrorist attack that resulted in the death of an Israeli civilian. These individuals, who had sworn to uphold the Hippocratic Oath and prioritize the well-being of patients, betrayed their sacred professional duties by engaging in violence.
The arrest of these healthcare workers underscores a disturbing trend where medical professionals in Gaza and the West Bank are becoming radicalized, turning from healers to perpetrators of terror. Their actions serve as a stark reminder of the need for stricter oversight and accountability in international aid funding to ensure that resources are not being funneled to individuals with extremist agendas.
8. The BBC Report and Alleged Ties of Gaza Doctors to Hamas
The BBC's coverage of alleged Israeli abuses against medics in Gaza came under scrutiny after a series of investigative revelations. A report aired by the BBC featured testimonies from healthcare workers in Gaza, many of whom claimed they were victims of torture and mistreatment at the hands of Israeli forces. While the report aimed to highlight human rights violations, it has ignited controversy following a Mail on Sunday investigation, which unearthed troubling connections between some of the medical professionals featured in the BBC report and the Hamas terrorist organization.
9. Kamal Adwan Hospital Director's is also a Hamas Colonel
The director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, has been revealed to hold the rank of colonel in Hamas. The Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza has been identified by the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) as a Hamas terrorist stronghold. According to the IDF's announcement, terrorists have been operating out of the hospital throughout the ongoing conflict. Following an IDF and ISA (Israeli Security Agency) operation in October 2024, the hospital has again become a key location for terrorist organizations, serving as a hideout for operatives.
https://x.com/EFischberger/status/1872625254788722784
10. Fadi Al-Wadiya, Physical Therapist and Rockets Expert
Fadi Al-Wadiya, who was eliminated by the IDF, worked both as a physical therapist for Doctors Without Borders and as a prominent terrorist in the PIJ terrorist organization.
He developed and advanced the terrorist organization's rocket array for 15 years, and was a central figure in the terrorist organization's knowledge of electronics and chemistry. The same year that Al-Wadiya joined the MSF, he tried to leave Gaza to Iran, along with two other terrorists, in order to engage in terrorism training there.
Dr. Ahmed Al-Jamal
Dr. Ahmed Al-Jamal was involved in the captivity of three Israeli hostages, whom he kept in his home alongside his son. His son was a “journalist” for the Palestine Chronicle, a U.S. based “non-profit”, Abdullah Al-Jamal. His son has sent his child to a Hamas terrorist training camp, and his nephew was a known Hamas terrorist.