Grand Junction Pediatrician with Ties to Gaza Reacts to Ceasefire Announcement

Dr. Barbara Zind, a Grand Junction pediatrician with deep connections to Gaza, shares her perspective on the recent ceasefire negotiations amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Zind has been a long-time volunteer for the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund and was in Gaza when the war erupted in October 2023.

A Close Call During the War

Dr. Zind arrived in Gaza on October 6, 2023, to continue her humanitarian work with the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund. Her mission was to provide medical aid, particularly for children in Gaza, a region she has been visiting since 2010. However, her trip coincided with the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, throwing her and other volunteers into an uncertain and dangerous situation.

Looking back on her first weeks in Gaza, Dr. Zind described how crucial safety measures helped protect her and her team. “We were very lucky,” Zind recalled. “We moved in caravans. We let the Israeli Defense Forces know when we were moving, we stuck together, and those things kept us safe.”

Despite these precautions, the war’s impact on civilians has been devastating. Zind has stayed in contact with those still in Gaza, and her concerns for the well-being of the population, particularly children, remain urgent.

Barbara Zind pediatrician Gaza

The Real Struggles in Gaza: Power and Resources

While the bombing campaigns have drawn much attention globally, Dr. Zind believes the lack of basic resources has been the worst part for civilians. “People in Gaza have not had electricity. They’ve not had ready access to clean water and sanitation. Aid has been extremely limited, especially since the Rafa border was closed,” she said.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has only deepened as the conflict continues. Without electricity and essential services, families face unimaginable hardships, with children being the most vulnerable. Dr. Zind’s first-hand accounts highlight the dire conditions and the need for ongoing international attention and support.

Hope for a Change: What Needs to Be Done

While the recent ceasefire announcement brings some hope, Dr. Zind emphasizes that this is only a first step. “When does the war end? When children are fed, going to school, drinking clean water, and sanitation facilities are okay, and people aren’t living in tents. That’s when I’ll feel more comfortable with the situation there,” she said.

Zind’s commitment to returning to Gaza once the ceasefire is finalized underscores her dedication to aiding the people who are still suffering. However, her focus is not solely on providing immediate medical care but also on raising global awareness about the harsh realities people in Gaza face daily.

A Global Call for Awareness

Dr. Zind is hopeful that this war will open the eyes of the international community to the broader issues at play. “I’m just hopeful that this war has raised some awareness of the situation that people live in over there,” she said. “The international community can help support those people so that they can live lives with the freedoms that we enjoy in the United States.”

Dr. Zind’s words reflect not only her deep concern for the children and families in Gaza but also her desire for long-term peace and stability. Her hope is that, beyond the ceasefire, global efforts will lead to improved living conditions and a brighter future for the people in Gaza.

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