2025-05-18T14:27:50Z

---

A British surgeon, Dr. Tom Potokar, currently working in southern Gaza, has starkly compared the region to a "slaughterhouse" due to the relentless bombardments from Israeli forces that have wreaked havoc on the area. This grim assessment follows reports from Palestinian health officials indicating that at least 130 individuals were killed overnight into Sunday, an alarming statistic that underscores the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Dr. Potokar is situated at the European Hospital near Khan Younis, and in an emotional video statement, he described the situation as "another day of devastation here in Gaza." He elaborated on the harrowing experiences that residents are facing, particularly highlighting the catastrophic conditions surrounding the Indonesian Hospital in the north, which has become a focal point of suffering. "The stories coming from the north are absolutely horrific," he stated. "It's difficult to describe in words what's happening here... [with the] constant sound of bombardment jets overhead."

His analogy to Cambodia’s infamous killing fields, which saw the tragic loss of more than a million lives during the brutal reign of the Khmer Rouge under Pol Pot from 1975 to 1979, brings a poignant historical context to the current violence. The image of Gaza as a slaughterhouse starkly illustrates the overwhelming despair and devastation that has become a part of daily life for its residents.

The situation worsened over the past week, as the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reported that 464 people had died due to Israeli military strikes. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed that they had initiated extensive ground operations throughout both northern and southern Gaza, aimed at disrupting what they term as "Hamas terror targets." According to the IDF, their air force struck over 670 targets in an effort to support ground operations and disrupt enemy preparations.

Dr. Potokar provided an on-the-ground account of the medical challenges faced by healthcare workers. He stated, "We've been operating all morning so far and [treating] awful explosive injuries... [including] one young woman with leg and shoulder fractures and a large wound on her buttock, who came in yesterday and is not yet aware that everyone in her family was killed in the onslaught." This underscores not only the physical injuries but also the psychological trauma inflicted on victims.

Israel’s military campaign has intensified with the aim of exerting pressure on Hamas, seizing territory, and controlling the distribution of crucial aid as many Palestinians continue to face displacement. As a part of these operations, numerous airstrikes have occurred, resulting in significant casualties, including over 100 fatalities, many of whom were children. This led to the closure of northern Gaza's main hospital, with the Hamas-run health ministry indicating that entire families had been obliterated due to the bombardments.

In the southern part of the region, Nasser hospital reported that over 48 people—predominantly women and children—lost their lives in strikes that targeted areas housing displaced individuals. Meanwhile, in Deir al Balah, at least a dozen people were reported dead due to multiple attacks, further illustrating the widespread devastation across the territory.

The political landscape remains fraught with tension as ceasefire discussions are underway in Qatar. While Israel has expressed that any enduring truce must involve the demilitarisation of Gaza and the exile of Hamas militants, progress has been slow. Reports suggest that Hamas has offered to release around half of its Israeli hostages in exchange for a two-month ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. However, a Palestinian official indicated that the ongoing conflict remains a significant barrier to achieving any resolution, stating, "Hamas is flexible about the number of hostages it can free, but the problem has always been over Israel's commitment to end the war."