An Example of Perseverance: Dr. Ahmed Mehanna

His high school years corresponded to the First Intifada which seriously effected his educational life. His family faced financial hardship due to political situations and their effects on his father’s work life. However, his family insisted on his pursuit of education. Despite those hardships Ahmed acquired good academic achievements. Life in university was harder due to the high cost. His mother had always envisioned him as a doctor. The family really pushed the limits to make this dream come true and Ahmed, after many sacrifices, got into Saint Petersburg University in Russia. After a rather successful academic life he graduated with honors.

After returned to Gaza, he started his career as a doctor in Shifa Hospital. Nevertheless, one year into his mission his father passed away and this made his responsibilities intensify. He became the only provider of his family. He provided a family of 6 children and their education for a long time until their marriage. In this process he married his wife Ala and had 3 children of his[2] own.  Again in this challenging situation he specialized in anesthesiology.[3]

When the war broke out in October 7th, Dr. Ahmed was working as a manager in Al-Awda Hospital. He was leading the first group of doctors running to treat the patients who flew to the hospitals after the heavy attacks. Right before he got arrested, he was seen visiting his displaced family in Al-Zawaida around the mid-October.

Since October 7th Dr. Ahmed had continued to work and serve medical care to his patients without getting tired in Al-Awda Hospital at the northern Gaza despite increasing danger and threats. In the month of November, the Israeli army warned him about evacuating the hospital. Although the Israeli army threatened the hospital with bombing, according to his wife Ala Mehanna, he refused to abandon his patients in his deep connection to his people and humanity. He had chosen to stand with them rather than leaving them in despair.

The Israeli army did not only threaten the hospital but also blockaded it for more than 10 days and prohibited the entrance of all the electricity, water, food and medical equipment to the hospital. In this period, embarrassing scenes regarding humanity were witnessed in the corridors. Patients painfully died because of insufficient care and medicine alongside with the hunger and thirst. Dr. Ahmed refused to abandon his patients anyway. And eventually, Israel attacked the hospital. The occupation, after severe attacks, forced Dr. Ahmed out of the building. He was subjected to put off his doctor uniform and an inclusive humiliating body search right before he was taken to an interrogation center in Jabalia. He was exposed to perpetual interrogation, humiliation and psychological pressure throughout the night. Afterwards, he was arrested with a couple of his colleagues without an accusation of any charge and was taken to somewhere unknown.

On December 16th, 2023, all news about Dr. Ahmed was cut off. Some prisoners, after they were released, shared horrible details about the first days of the probation where they were exposed to such interrogation alongside with severe torture and bad treatment. Other witnesses confirmed that he was sent to Ketziot Prison in Negev after his interrogation. According to The Guardian, Dr. Ahmed was kept in a cell for 21 days and was subjected to dog attacks with handcuffs, torture with cold water and loud continuous music and so on. During his imprisonment he had continued to remain as a doctor and worked for treating other prisoners and easing the effects of the torture they bore. [4]

Nearly two years has passed after his arrest but condition of his imprisonment and the torture he was exposed to remains unclear. No formal charge was directed to him and there is no information on why he is being held captive and what waits for him. In a letter he wrote to his family, he kept instilling hope by saying ‘we still have dreams to fulfill’. [5] 

As a result of long efforts, Al- Awda Society Health Association managed to assign an attorney to visit him in coordination with his family. On December, 2023, his attorney was able to see Dr. Ahmed. He lost a lot of weight and his appearance drastically changed. But his spirit was unshaken. According to his attorney there was no formal indictment to him. His captivity seemed kind of like a punishment because of his refusal to evacuate the hospital.

The story of Dr. Ahmed Mehanna is not just a doctor’s story. It’s about a man who took the responsibility of a nation, stood with his patients until the last minute and paid the cost of his unshakable commitment with his freedom. A story of a 'man' who, amidst decaying bodies of children, women stripped of their dignity, and men slaughtered in humiliation, inspires morality, selflessness, and the struggle for human values — in a world where humanity is rapidly fading.

I would like to thank Intern Dr. Layth Arafat, journalist- author Mustafa Ekici and Sudenaz Coskun for their contributions.

Prof. Dr. Orhan Alimoglu

Istanbul Medeniyet University