Fares Afana: A Paramedic Bids Farewell to His Son and Continues Saving Lives Under Fire

Fares Afana, head of emergency medical services in northern Gaza, recounts the martyrdom of his son, paramedic Baraa, on June 9, 2025, and continues his work despite the loss. He speaks of attacks on medical teams, the Tel al-Sultan massacre on March 23, 2025, in which 19 paramedics were killed, and the story of the child Hind Rajab, as well as the arrests and torture of doctors. He appeals to the international community to protect medical teams and lift the siege.

Fares Afana, head of emergency medical services in the northern Gaza Strip, recounts in an interview with Palestine Online the details of attacks on medical teams during the war. His son, paramedic Baraa, was martyred on June 9, 2025, along with two colleagues and a journalist in the al-Tuffah neighborhood east of Gaza, but he returned to work, believing in the continuation of the mission. He describes the Tel al-Sultan massacre in Rafah on March 23, 2025, where 19 paramedics and civil defense workers were killed while rescuing the wounded, and their bodies were buried under the sand. He recalls the story of the child Hind Rajab, where the Red Crescent ambulance crew heading to rescue her was targeted despite prior coordination. He speaks of the arrests of doctors and paramedics, including the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, and the torture of detainees, including paramedic Maher al-Ajrami. He mentions the targeting of an ambulance crew in Izbet Beit Hanoun, resulting in the martyrdom of Khaled Abed and Hussein Matar and the injury of Nabil Saqr. He says that targeting the health system is part of an attempt to empty northern Gaza of its residents, and that during the "Generals' Plan" they were prevented from using ambulances, so animal-drawn carts were used to transport the wounded. He concludes by appealing to the international community to protect medical teams, hold those responsible accountable, and lift the siege.