Palestine, El Sky News — In a deeply moving and symbolic moment, 168 Palestinian doctors officially received their advanced medical certification at the devastated Al-Shifa Medical Complex, Gaza’s largest former hospital, amid the ruins left by prolonged warfare. The graduation ceremony took place on 25 December 2025, coinciding with Christmas Day, in the open courtyard of the hospital complex, now largely reduced to rubble.
Graduation Amid Destruction
The ceremony was held outdoors, surrounded by collapsed buildings and debris. The graduating doctors completed their Palestinian Board Certification, a rigorous postgraduate medical qualification, despite working under extreme wartime conditions. The cohort was named “The Humanity Cohort,” symbolizing resilience, dedication, and commitment to saving lives despite overwhelming adversity.
Throughout their training, the doctors continued to serve patients in Gaza’s remaining medical facilities, often operating under bombardment, shortages of medicine, electricity cuts, food scarcity, and constant threats to personal safety. Several graduates reportedly sustained injuries, lost family members, or experienced detention during the conflict.
A Symbol of Resilience and Hope
According to Youssef Abu al-Reish, Undersecretary of the Gaza Ministry of Health, the graduation was not merely an academic milestone but a powerful declaration of survival and humanity. He described the ceremony as a graduation “from the womb of suffering, under bombardment, among rubble and rivers of blood,” emphasizing the extraordinary circumstances faced by Gaza’s healthcare workers.
One of the graduates, Dr. Ahmed Basil, stated that earning a medical qualification amid destruction sends a clear message to the world: Palestinians choose life and continue to uphold knowledge, science, and humanitarian values even during war.
Impact of War on Gaza’s Healthcare System
Al-Shifa Medical Complex has been repeatedly targeted since the outbreak of the war in October 2023, suffering severe damage during multiple military incursions. The World Health Organization (WHO) previously described the hospital as an “empty shell with mass graves,” highlighting the collapse of Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure.
Out of 36 hospitals in Gaza, only around 18 remain partially operational, while others have been forced to shut down due to destruction, fuel shortages, and lack of medical supplies. More than 18,500 critically ill patients, including approximately 4,000 children, are still awaiting medical evacuation amid severe access restrictions.
International organizations have documented hundreds of attacks on healthcare facilities and personnel, resulting in the deaths of many doctors, nurses, and paramedics. These attacks have drawn widespread concern over violations of international humanitarian law.
A Message to the World
The graduation of 168 doctors amid the ruins of Al-Shifa stands as a powerful testament to human resilience in times of war. Beyond an academic achievement, the ceremony underscores the urgent need to protect medical workers and healthcare infrastructure in conflict zones.
Despite devastation and loss, the event sent a clear message to the international community: humanity, education, and the commitment to saving lives endure even in the darkest circumstances.
(Lunar)
