Australian doctor: Victims in Rafah shot in head and chest collecting aid

An Australian doctor volunteering in Gaza has described harrowing scenes at an aid distribution point in Rafah, where Israeli forces opened fire on civilians early Sunday.

Dr Ahmed Abu Sweid, working in the emergency ward at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, said several victims were shot in the head and chest.

“We’ve only been here for a few days, and the extent of the trauma I’ve seen here is unlike anything I’ve seen before,” he said, describing the situation as overwhelming.

He reported “heavy human losses” and “hundreds of confirmed wounded”, adding that the facility was at full capacity and operating with limited medical supplies.

Abu Sweid said Gaza’s medical teams have been working under relentless pressure for more than 200 days. “We have been here for days, but the doctors here have been facing the same situation for the last 200 days, and they are exhausted,” he noted.

He confirmed that all those brought in were civilians. “They were asked to go collect food, but ended up with live bullet and shrapnel wounds. Most of them are in critical condition,” he said, adding that some were already dead upon arrival, “as a result of being shot in the head and chest.”