Palestinian doctor living in Manchester to return to Gaza to ‘do her duty’
Share:
A Palestinian doctor, who has been living in Manchester since the war broke out, plans to return to Gaza now that a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel has been agreed. Dr Mona El-Farra, 70, who left Gaza shortly after the fighting escalated, has lost her family home in Gaza city, her childhood home in Khan Younis and 176 family members.
Her son Mohammed Ghalayini, who lives in Manchester, had been visiting her when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 2023. Dr El-Farra left for the UK with her daughter shortly after, while her son, a British-Palestinian scientist, returned two months later after being forced to flee.
Dr El-Farra, who is the director of Gaza Projects for the Middle East Children’s Alliance (Meca), says she is looking forward to returning to her home county to perform her duty as a doctor. “I prefer to wait until things are clear in the second stage of the ceasefire but for sure I’m returning back to Gaza and to touch the ground and to see what has been left of my family and friends,” Dr El-Farra told the PA news agency.
Dr El-Farra, who is a specialised dermatologist, says she plans to set up a mobile clinic to help support her people. She also plans to set up psycho-social support group for women and children as part of her role with Meca which “works to protect the rights and improve the lives of children” through aid.
