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Doctor reveals story behind viral photo of boy clinging to medic

A doctor on the scene recalls the moment a medic brought in the boy who clung to him crying “I want my father,” and the fate of him and his siblings

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This photo of a boy injured in an Israeli strike clinging to a medic at al-Shifa hospital went viral on the internet.

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The following is a blog entry from a medic working in Palestine. While it shows one side of an on-going conflict, we felt the medics story interesting enough to share.

The Electronic Intifada

GAZA CITY — Thursday night, 17 July, was the heaviest yet since Israel’s bombardment of Gaza began almost two weeks ago.

Dozens of people arrived to Gaza City’s al-Shifa hospital, where I was on shift that night. Some arrived torn to pieces, some beheaded, some disfigured beyond recognition, although still alive and breathing.

Seemingly indiscriminate artillery fire, a new element in Israel’s assault, had exacted a heavy toll on civilians.

The medical staff were lucky to get a break of less than half an hour. Some spent it watching the flares and bombs Israel was raining on the eastern neighborhoods of Gaza City, while others refueled with coffee or lay down for a few moments.

Read full story: The boy who clung to the paramedic: the story behind the photo