UK Lawmaker Highlights Testimony on Israeli Drone Strikes Targeting Palestinian Children
A member of Britain’s ruling Labour Party has voiced grave concerns over allegations that Israeli forces are using drones to deliberately target Palestinian children, likening the practice to a "warped video game." The claims were raised during a Westminster Hall debate on the humanitarian crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Anadolu Agency reported.
Labour lawmaker Patricia Ferguson referred to testimony from retired vascular surgeon Professor Nizam Mamode, who recently returned from Gaza. Mamode described the situation as "beyond belief," presenting evidence that he said demonstrated the deliberate targeting of civilians, including children, with drone strikes.
Ferguson recounted Mamode’s description of injuries in Gaza, including "symmetrical puncture marks on a deceased child's corpse" and wounds near major arteries, which he argued were too precise to be caused by sharpshooters, attributing them instead to drone strikes.
"What struck me the most was the cold calculation of using machines to kill children," Ferguson said. "It was like some kind of warped video game, and that’s the most disturbing aspect of Professor Mamode’s presentation."
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The ongoing war in Gaza has claimed the lives of over 43,985 Palestinians, leaving 104,092 injured, the majority of them women and children, according to local authorities. The humanitarian situation has reached catastrophic levels, with northern Gaza's hospitals ceasing to function entirely.
Foreign Office Minister Anneliese Dodds acknowledged the dire conditions, stating, “The sick and injured must be allowed to leave Gaza to receive care,” as calls intensify for humanitarian access.
Kamal Adwan Hospital Under Siege
Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, director-general of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, reported that the hospital is under siege, with Israeli forces preventing the entry of medicine, food, and humanitarian aid. Ambulances and civil defense teams are also being blocked, further straining the facility’s ability to respond to the mounting casualties.
The hospital is currently treating 85 injured women and children with minimal resources, including six critical cases in intensive care. Dr. Abu Safiya revealed that cases of severe malnutrition are on the rise, with 17 children in dire condition, and reported that an elderly man recently died from dehydration due to the blockade.
“Unfortunately, there has been no action or promises from any international entity to open a humanitarian corridor,” Abu Safiya said.
Also Read: Kamal Adwan Hospital Under Siege as Gaza Faces Escalating Humanitarian Crisis
Attacks on Medical Facilities and Personnel
Since the escalation of the conflict, Israeli strikes have killed more than 1,000 medical workers and targeted hospitals, ambulances, and civil defense teams. Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of Gaza's largest, has faced repeated raids and blockades, with its facilities reportedly being destroyed in the ongoing bombardment.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health has issued a dire plea for help, warning that the crisis may worsen without immediate international intervention to provide medical supplies, surgical teams, and food aid.
As the death toll rises and humanitarian conditions deteriorate, calls for an end to the violence and access to aid continue to grow louder.