Gaza City, Gaza — In a remarkable act of resilience, 168 Palestinian doctors have received their advanced medical certifications amid the ruins of al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza’s largest healthcare facility, which has been largely destroyed during Israel’s war.

The graduation ceremony, held on Thursday, December 25, 2025, took place in front of the hospital’s destroyed facade, symbolizing perseverance and hope in the face of unimaginable hardship. The graduates, who call themselves the “Humanity Cohort”, completed their Palestinian Board certifications while working under extreme conditions over the past two years, including periods of starvation, displacement, injury, and family losses.

Graduation Amid Devastation

The ceremony was attended by a large number of Palestinians, with empty chairs representing the medical workers killed during the conflict. Gaza Health Ministry official Youssef Abu al-Reish described the event as a graduation “from the womb of suffering, under bombardment, among rubble and rivers of blood.”

Dr Mohammed Abu Salmiya, medical director of al-Shifa, emphasized that Israel sought to destroy Palestine’s human capital through attacks on healthcare facilities, but the graduation highlighted the enduring dedication and skill of Gaza’s medical professionals.

Graduate Dr Ahmed Basil reflected on the achievement: “Earning advanced degrees in the most difficult of times, inside a destroyed building, sends a message that Palestinians love life and remain committed to scientific advancement.”

Al-Shifa Hospital: A Symbol of Destruction

Al-Shifa Medical Complex has endured repeated attacks since the start of Israel’s war in October 2023. The facility was invaded twice, with catastrophic destruction reported in March 2024. A World Health Organization (WHO) assessment described the hospital as “an empty shell with human graves.” Partial renovations have allowed limited functionality, but the hospital largely remains in ruins.

Of Gaza’s 36 hospitals, only 18 remain partially operational as of December 2025. Severe limitations affect nearly all field hospitals, and over 18,500 critically ill patients, including 4,000 children, require medical evacuation that is largely inaccessible.

Attacks on Healthcare Workers

The WHO Health Cluster reports 825 attacks on healthcare facilities since October 2023, resulting in 985 deaths and approximately 2,000 injuries. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, 1,722 healthcare workers have been killed, and 306 detained during the conflict, with at least five dying in detention. Released detainees often showed signs of torture and abuse.

The UN Human Rights Office has identified a consistent pattern of attacks: initial airstrikes and shelling, ground troop sieges blocking access, raids using heavy machinery, mass detentions of staff and patients, forced evacuations, and withdrawal leaving facilities non-functional. Palestinian human rights organization Al-Haq describes this as a “systematic destruction” of Gaza’s healthcare system.

Human Toll of the Conflict

Since 7 October 2023, the Gaza Ministry of Health reports 70,942 Palestinians killed and 171,195 injured. Even after a ceasefire announced in October 2025, violations continue, with 406 killed and 1,118 injured, and an additional 653 bodies recovered from rubble.

The graduation of Gaza doctors in these conditions underscores the extraordinary resilience of the Palestinian people and their unwavering commitment to healthcare and scientific progress, despite the devastating toll of war.