Following the screening of the film "The Last Doctor" at the 17th Al Jazeera Forum, a panel discussion featured firsthand accounts from doctors in Gaza who have experienced the horrors of war. They expressed deep concerns about underhanded colonial schemes that threaten Palestinian sovereignty over the healthcare sector and its institutions, jeopardizing their ability to function effectively. The discussions reflected the resilience of the medical staff and their challenges in providing care under dire circumstances.

The film "The Last Doctor," produced by Al Jazeera and available on their 360 platform, chronicles the work of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya and his medical team at Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza. Their efforts to care for the injured and sick were dramatically interrupted when Dr. Abu Safiya was arrested by Israeli forces on December 27, 2024. Such narratives underscored the profound impact of the ongoing conflict on healthcare workers, emphasizing their pivotal role in addressing the humanitarian crisis despite enormous obstacles and risks they face daily.

Dr. Ghassan Abu Sitta, who leads a conflict medicine program at the American University of Beirut, articulated that the situation in Gaza's healthcare system is unprecedented in human history. He noted that the Israeli occupation has not treated hospitals as mere secondary targets but has strategically defined them as central to the battlefield, reflecting a sinister approach that complicates medical operations and endangers the lives of healthcare professionals and patients alike. This alarming stance raises significant ethical questions regarding the conduct of war and its implications for human health and rights in Gaza.