In the 80's, "Where's the Beef?" was a catch phrase for a popular Wendy's commercial. Unfortunately in Gaza, this is no laughing matter. On the 29th of January, the team took a break from the demands of Al-Shifa Hospital to meet with the local Gazans who were trying to make a new sta
rt once again, following the Israeli strikes. As we were driving through Jabaliyah, passing the UNICEF refugee camp, we suddenly came upon a gut-wrenching smell. The stench was so strong many of us began to gag and feared for the worst. I looked out the window and towards the right I saw scattered throughout an open field—what appeared to be over 100 dead cow carcasses. I asked one of my friends if this was collateral damage, as I covered my mouth holding back what I thought inevitably was going to be my lunch coming back up.I guess in war, nothing is safe. We had already seen numerous children, women and elderly as patients—those who had been wounded and maimed during the 22 days of conflict in this war-torn territory. We had no idea how these animals were killed or for what reason, but their death remains incomprehensible to me.
In addition, we were informed that the Gaza Zoo was also attacked, with most of the animals killed in their cages. We will most likely never know the answer or understand why these animals were killed. It's a shame that the children of Gaza, who escaped and survived the attacks will no longer have the simple pleasure of visiting a Zoo. In the Gaza Strip there are not many reasons for the children to smile. And the one place that children universally respond to with curiosity and a smile, is no longer.Read more about Zoo Animals
Dr. Ismail Mehr is an anesthesiologist from Hornell, NY. He was the team leader for the American medical mission.
