Martyred Medic Mohammad Al-Heila: I will live in My Father’s “Crescent”

Had the war not erupted, Mohammad would have been a groom, celebrating his wedding. This is how his parents had long envisioned him. Although they were fully aware of the dangers of humanitarian work in a region where no emblem is respected, they never expected their son would be carried to his grave as a martyr, his life taken in the service of humanity.

Mohammad was determined to follow in the footsteps of his father, Hasan Al-Heila, an Emergency Medical Team (EMT) member with the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS). Therefore, he studied Emergency Medical Services (EMS) at the PRCS Institute in Khan Younis and joined its medical teams in 2022, answering the call of humanity. His journey was tragically cut short by Israeli bullets that claimed his life along with seven of his PRCS colleagues in Rafah during the last week of March.

Mohammad Hasan Al-Heila

Mohammad was born on October 4^th, 2022, in Al-Juneina neighborhood of Rafah. He was unmarried and grew among his family who raised him on strong morals and humanitarian values. He studied EMS with the PRCS and later joined its teams.

Deeply inspired by his father's work, Mohammad was drawn to the uniform of the PRCS and its emblem. He was passionate about humanitarian service. Even as a child, he would play with his friends pretending to be a medic, fascinated by the nature of the work from a very young age.

The Experience of Displacement

During the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, Mohammad continued his work tirelessly, undeterred by the immense dangers facing by medical teams. He bravely headed to areas under bombardment, where body parts were scattered and critical cases lay, dedicating himself to saving lives.

His family, who lived in Al-Juneina neighborhood, has now been displaced to a tent in Al- Mawasi, Khan Younis due to the continues escalation.

A Pillar of Support for His Sisters

His father Hasan says: “Mohammad was kind and gentle, especially with his brothers and sisters. He was looking forward to marriage, but he was martyred while on a humanitarian mission. Despite earning only a small volunteer stipend from the PRCS, he set aside an amount for each of his four sisters.”

Mohammad had a deep love for emergency medical work and was always eager to help. His father adds: “Helping people isn’t easy, whether from a religious or worldly perspective. It’s one of the most noble acts, to help those in need.”

He recalls that Mohammad was fully aware of the dangers he faced and often said, “What we do is humanitarian work. It’s hard to say I’m going out to die, that’s in God’s hands, but our lives are full of danger.”

Following in his father’s footsteps and driven by a profound commitment to humanitarian values, Mohammad devoted himself to his duties, until Israeli bullets, showing no regard for international protected emblems, brought his life to an end. It was as if he had always been saying: “I will live in my father’s Crescent, even if it costs me my life.” And that is exactly what happened.