Photos revealed the chaotic scenes at the only major medical center in southern Israel where hundreds of patients were rushed for urgent care in the 72 hours after the deadly surprise attack by Hamas.
Images from the Soroka Medical Center about 25 miles from Gaza showed frontline workers tending to seriously wounded Israeli victims, who included a pregnant woman shot in the stomach and a police officer shot in both legs.
“A pregnant woman came in after being shot in the abdomen. She survived, but the baby did not – killed in a terrorist attack before she was born,’ said Dr. Shlomi Codish, CEO of Soroka to the New York Post.
‘The extent of the injuries to civilians, children, the elderly was unprecedented. In the first 18 hours we saw 700 people and treated them under fire – literally. Bombs fell around us and air raid sirens went off.’
Codish said they treated a police officer shot in both legs in the town of Ofaquim, who struggled to get to the road where an ambulance met him.
A patient with a bloody face (pictured) holds up a peace sign while being treated. The Soroka Medical Center, located 25 miles from Gaza, treated 700 patients from the deadly Hamas attack
Frontline workers tend to a patient (pictured) while providing care to victims of the Hamas attack. Soroka CEO Shlomi Codish said they treated a pregnant woman who was shot in the stomach. The woman survived, the baby did not
The medical team has been treating victims (pictured) non-stop since Saturday’s horrific attack. Codish said they treated injuries to civilians, children, the elderly in unprecedented numbers
The President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, visited Soroka Medical Center to support their work. Of more than 700 patients treated there, about 130 arrived in critical condition.
“People walked for miles with gunshot wounds and distanced themselves from terrorists with assault rifles,” Codish said.
“People shot in the settlements where EMS couldn’t reach, walked to the highway and were picked up by passing motorists.”
‘We had a patient come in in her pajamas after being shot in bed. What are they protecting against?’ Codish said.
In one image, an Israeli officer can be seen making the peace sign as he drives into the medical center with blood on his face.
Another shows medics frantically carrying a wounded patient on a stretcher to a waiting military helicopter to be transferred to another hospital.
At least 260 people were killed in the surprise attack at the Supernova music festival near the Gaza Strip, and many are still missing.
President Joe Biden said at least 11 Americans were killed and as of Monday afternoon, more than 900 Israelis were confirmed dead while more than 2,000 were injured.
Soroka’s medical team (pictured) serves as ‘Israel’s Iron Dome for Health. The doctor said they treated a police officer who was shot in both legs and struggled to get to safety where an ambulance could pick up the officer
Isaac Herzog (pictured), President of Israel, visited Soroka Medical Center on Monday to support their work to treat victims of the Hama attack
Israeli soldiers and medical personnel transfer a victim to a hospital in Jerusalem. The hospital used helicopters to transport the first wave of 700 patients to make room for others
‘In a military event, soldiers wear protective equipment. A gunshot when shielded causes significant damage, but no significant injuries. For young civilians, shot while enjoying a party, that’s not the case,’ Codish said.
According to the medical center websitethe staff work 24 hours a day in the face of personal loss and fear.
Staff work 36-hour shifts and provide medical treatments where possible, including performing surgery in the emergency department.
“We were constantly aware of staff members who were killed or who were missing,” said the doctor.
Codish said of the 700 treated, 18 people died. He said they transported the first group of patients to make way for the next wave.
‘They went out in fleets of helicopters and went to hospitals further away from Gaza. “We have to make room.”