Israel Attacks American Citizens and Doctors in North Gaza

Doctors Against Genocide urgently appeals to the international community, the U.S. government, and humanitarian organizations to intervene on behalf of a group of American citizens who have been refused exit from northern Gaza by Israeli authorities. These healthcare professionals, on a dedicated medical mission, have been providing life-saving care to the region’s most vulnerable populations. Their mission, which was authorized by Israeli authorities, began with clearance to enter Gaza on January 9th, 2024, and was scheduled to end with their safe departure on January 22nd, 2025.

However, Israeli authorities have since denied their requests to move south, preventing them from exiting northern Gaza. The group includes 11 U.S. citizens, three of whom are surgeons with scheduled procedures for American patients back home on Monday, January 27, 2025.

The Israeli blockade preventing their movement from northern to southern Gaza has placed their lives at imminent risk amid heavy bombardment, despite an ongoing ceasefire. This is not only a humanitarian crisis but an urgent matter of life and death.

Doctors Against Genocide calls on the U.S. government to take immediate action to secure the safe passage of these American citizens. Their lives—and the lives of those waiting for their care back home—depend on prompt action. These medical professionals answered the call to help those in dire need; now it is our turn to answer their call for help.

Time is running out. Act now to ensure their safe return.

These are the American Physicians and Nurses that are being refused exit from North Gaza by Israeli authorities.

1. Dr. Nimr Ikram (Dallas, TX)

2. Dr. Omair Ilyas  (California)

3. Dr. Aslam Akhtar (California)

4. Dr. Tarik Elmohd (Tampa Bay, FL)

5. Dr. Mohamed Kuziez (Denver, CO)

6. Dr. Sameer Ahmad (Downey, CA)

7. Dr. Omar Malas (Toledo, OH)

8. Dr. Asad Khan (Dallas, TX)

9. Nurse Nor Rizek (Arizona)

10. Nurse Marie Zhang (Ohio)

11. Dr. Shehzad Batliwala (TX)

For immediate release: January 24, 2025

CONTACT FOR DOCTORS AGAINST GENOCIDE: 

Dr. Nidal Jboor, Co-founder and physician in Dearborn, MI, 313-354-1400

Dr. Karameh Hawash Kuemmerle, Co-founder. Pediatric Neurologist in Boston, MA, 617-818-5239

Leadership@doctorsagainstgenocide.org