5/20/24 - Michigan Doctor Returns From Gaza Strip

A West Bloomfield doctor was part of a medical team in southern Gaza but his return trip out of the country, took longer than expected.

(DETROIT/CBS) - Dr. Ammar Ghanem returned to Michigan over the weekend and specifically his home in West Bloomfield. 

Dr. Ghanem spent nearly three weeks in Gaza, which were several more than expected. 

At the beginning of May, Dr. Ammar Ghanem headed to Gaza for a two-week medical mission that was part of his nonprofit Syrian American Medical Society.   He was part of a time of several other doctors from around the world volunteer their time. 

He says the turmoil from the war between Israel and Hamas is devasting.  "There is multiple challenges that face us in the ICU here, including a shortage in supplies and, on top of this, a shortage in staff," said Ghanem.

"I went on a team focusing on trauma and ICU care, and I felt, probably, be able to make a difference," said Ghanem.

Ammar was trapped in Gaza following the medical mission. He said it was supposed to be a two-week trip, May 1-13, and tensions began rising just days before he was supposed to leave.

"We start to hear that Israel has taken over the Rafah cross point, which is the one we enter from, and we start to worry about our ability to exit because there is no other exit point. The WHO, they were trying to call us down and then tell us ok, we'll get you a new exit every day, but it did not happen," Ghanem said.

He said he spent nearly three weeks in the Middle East before reuniting with his family on May 18.