We meet Dr Mohammed, a paediatrician, again from Jabalia. Mothers stand patiently waiting to be seen by him, babies mewling at this injustice. One by one, they filter through, receive vaccinations, signed and stamped in the booklet, and reminded of the next time they should attend.
His wide and expressive smile sets as he begins to tell his story. During an offensive in late 2023, many family members and friends sought shelter in his home. This reached 70 people at one point, spending three days locked inside with no water, food, or electricity. As a medic, he took it upon himself to ensure those arriving injured received some semblance of care. Planks of wood to splint fractured bones; scarves to stem the flow of blood. Amazingly, those in critical conditions survived long enough to receive further treatment.
He continues to explain that a head injury sustained during this time means he sometimes draws blanks, searching for the words to describe his experience. Blocked, perhaps, out of necessity to continue living in the present.
Dr Mohammed is still smiling – until he isn’t. He stands up, apologises, opens the window of the clinic we where we sit and looks out. We pause, he returns to the seat and insists we go on. For him, it's the patients that motivate this desire to continue working.