Gaza: At the heart of hell – the alert cry of Raphaël Pitti, a humanitarian doctor
On the Oummatv program, an interview with Raphaël Pitti, emergency doctor and founder of the medical humanitarian NGO, Husome, which testifies to the catastrophic situation he observed during his two missions in Gaza after October 7, 2023. Used to war areas-having exercised in ex-Yugoslavia, Lebanon, Syria (35 missions) and Ukraine (15 missions) -, he claims to have “never seen that”, describing unprecedented humanitarian chaos. Raphaël Pitty will participate on Friday March 28 in Ivry-sur-Seine in an ‘Iftar for Gaza’ organized by the medical humanitarian NGO Husome. You can donate in clicking here
Interview report with Raphaël Pitti
In this interview, the emergency doctor and founder of the medical humanitarian NGO Husome, Raphaël Pitti, testifies to the catastrophic situation he observed during his two missions in Gaza after October 7, 2023. Used to war areas-having exercised in ex-Yugoslavia, Lebanon, Africa, Syria (35 missions) and Ukraine (15 missions)- “Never seen that”, describing unprecedented humanitarian chaos.
An unprecedented humanitarian disaster
In January 2024, Raphaël Pitti entered Gaza for the first time with a humanitarian medical mission. Rafah, a city initially populated by 200,000 inhabitants, then welcomed more than 1.2 million displaced, forced to flee the north of the territory. This area, presented as “secure”, does not offer them any resources, and refugees must improvise shelters in the street.
The arrival of the medical team at the European Hospital of Rafah is marked by a disconcerting vision: more than 25,000 people live around the establishment in precarious conditions. Inside, 3,000 refugees, including women and children, occupy the corridors. Emergency services are overwhelmed, having to treat chronic and acute pathologies, but also a constant influx of wounded caused by bombing, snipers and drones. Due to lack of equipment, doctors must treat on the ground and carry out reverse sorting: they favor light wounded rather than those requiring heavy care, forced to abandon the most serious.
Faced with this disaster, Raphaël Pitti denounces the glaring lack of medical equipment and the impossibility for humanitarian workers to provide aid, due to the restrictions imposed.
The questioning of international humanitarian law
According to him, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict illustrates a dramatic regression of international humanitarian law. He recalls that the conventions signed after the Second World War aimed to protect civilians, caregivers and essential infrastructure. However, today, this framework is completely flouted.
Raphaël Pitti also protested against the attitude of the United States, which, under the chairmanship of Donald Trump, actively support the Israeli government of the far right. He warns against a return to dark periods if the international community does not react to this regression of international law and human rights.
The abolition of UNRWA: an additional danger
In October 2024, the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) voted for the ban on UNRWA, the UN Agency for Aid to Palestinian refugees, accusing it of terrorism. On the contrary, Raphaël Pitti defends his fundamental role: since 1948, this organization is the main support of the Palestinians, by ensuring education, access to water and food aid, in particular in Gaza, under Israeli blockade for 17 years.
He believes that removing UNRWA is to deprive the population of its last help, as well as destroying hospitals or preventing the entry of medical aid. In his eyes, these actions deliberately aim to increase the suffering of Gazaouis, considered responsible for taking hostages.
The lack of empathy of the Israeli population
In November 2024, two academics, Esther Benbassa and Jean-Christophe Attias, published a platform in The worlddenouncing the absence of empathy of a large part of the Israelis towards Gazans. Pit shares this observation, explaining that the main concern in Israel remains the release of hostages.
However, he nuances, stressing that some Israelis engaged in humanitarian NGOs have enabled him to bring medication into Gaza to enter, despite government prohibitions. He recalls that, even within a state, there are still “just men”.
Finally, he wonders about the real desire of the Israeli government to recover the hostages, in view of its brutal actions: bombardments, power cuts and gas, destruction of hospitals like that of Al-Nasr. He denounces a policy which aims more to terrorize and massacre the Palestinian population than to negotiate a peaceful outcome.
A call for solidarity: the gala “a Iftar for Gaza”
Faced with this crisis, the NGO Husome remains active on the ground. Raphaël Pitti evokes their actions in Gaza: distribution of drinking water (17,000 liters per day), management of primary care centers and fight against infantile malnutrition. However, the lack of funding and the restrictions imposed make their mission extremely difficult.
To support their initiatives, a Gala Solidaire, “An Iftar for Gaza”, is organized on March 28, 2025. Raphaël Pitti invites the public to participate or make a donation via the Husome site, stressing the importance of international support to mitigate the suffering of civilians in Gaza.
Conclusion
Through his testimony, Raphaël Pitti draws up an overwhelming observation of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, highlighting the suffering of civilians, international inaction and damage to fundamental rights. He calls for collective awareness and urgent mobilization, in particular via humanitarian aid and support for NGOs present in the field.
