Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., is working to help Dr. Adam Hamawy, an American surgeon who provided critical care to her 20 years ago in the Iraq War, to escape Gaza. Dr. Hamawy is currently trapped in Gaza with other aid workers, including 10 American doctors who traveled to provide emergency medical assistance at a hospital in Khan Younis. The group was blocked from leaving Gaza due to a border closure in Rafah, prompting concerns for their safety and access to basic supplies. The Biden administration is actively working to secure the safe departure of the medical group from Gaza, engaging with the governments of Israel and Egypt on the matter.
The State Department has warned Israel against a full-scale invasion of Rafah, citing humanitarian concerns for the over 1 million people sheltering in the city. Sen. Duckworth, who has been in contact with Dr. Hamawy, reported that he and his colleagues are lacking basic medical supplies and treating injured individuals in dire circumstances. The administration is closely monitoring the situation and working to facilitate the group’s evacuation from Gaza, although specific details are currently limited. Sen. Duckworth has engaged with Israeli authorities, the White House National Security Council, and other relevant groups to advocate for the protection and safe passage of aid workers and civilians in Gaza.
Sen. Duckworth has called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to open the Rafah crossing, support evacuations, and increase aid delivery to the region. As a member of the Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees, she has raised concerns over civilian casualties in Gaza and criticized Netanyahu’s handling of the ongoing conflict. Sen. Duckworth, a former Army National Guard member who suffered significant injuries in the Iraq War, credits Dr. Hamawy for saving her life and feels a personal connection to his current predicament. Dr. Hamawy, a father of four from Princeton, New Jersey, served in Iraq as a plastic and general surgeon, flight surgeon in the Medical Corps, and as a member of the New Jersey National Guard.
The Palestinian American Medical Association, to which Dr. Hamawy belongs, has not provided additional comments on the situation. The administration is working diligently to secure the safe departure of the medical group from Gaza, emphasizing the need for humanitarian aid flow and the protection of foreign nationals in the region. Sen. Duckworth and other officials are conducting outreach efforts and diplomatic engagements to advocate for the immediate evacuation and protection of the medical workers and civilians affected by the conflict in Gaza. The international community, including the U.S. government, continues to monitor the situation closely and work towards a resolution to ensure the safety and well-being of those affected.
The current crisis in Gaza highlights the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and international cooperation to address the escalating violence and humanitarian crisis. Sen. Duckworth’s personal connection to Dr. Hamawy and her advocacy efforts for his safe return to the U.S. underscore the importance of supporting aid workers and providing critical care to those affected by conflict and crisis situations. The Biden administration’s engagement with Israel and Egypt, as well as diplomatic efforts led by Sen. Duckworth and other officials, are essential in securing the safe passage of the medical group trapped in Gaza and addressing the urgent needs of those affected by the conflict. As the situation continues to evolve, a coordinated and swift response is crucial to mitigating the impact and ensuring the safety and well-being of those caught in the crossfire.
