A senior orthopaedic surgeon, believed to be the last remaining in northern Gaza, has reportedly been killed during the ongoing conflict, according to Palestinian health officials.

Dr. Sayeed Joudeh, who had come out of retirement to assist during the war, died on Thursday while traveling to work. He was affiliated with Kamal Adwan and al-Awda hospitals in the region.

The Israeli military has stated it is unaware of the incident but is conducting an investigation.

Dr. Joudeh had been a prominent figure in the local medical community, highlighted last month at a press conference where he held a sign reading “Save Us.” Tragically, he was killed en route to al-Awda Hospital, reportedly by a tank shell. Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, confirmed the incident, stating, “One of the tanks fired on him directly… he was killed instantly.” Some eyewitnesses, however, have claimed the attack came from a drone.

The loss has further strained northern Gaza’s fragile healthcare system, already overwhelmed by limited medical supplies, inadequate facilities, and a dwindling number of medical professionals. Speaking from Jerusalem, Louise Wateridge from the United Nations aid agency in Gaza described the situation as dire, noting, “Hospitals in Gaza are barely functional… Patients are dying needlessly.”

Northern Gaza has faced intense bombardment and siege for over two months, as Israel targets Hamas operatives in the area. Israel’s military actions follow the October 7 attack by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people in southern Israel and the abduction of 251 hostages. In response, Israel launched a large-scale operation aimed at dismantling Hamas’s infrastructure in Gaza.

According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 44,875 people, primarily civilians, have been killed, with over 100,000 injured since the conflict began. The United Nations considers these figures credible.

On Thursday night, a strike on a post office repurposed as a shelter for displaced individuals in central Gaza reportedly killed at least 30 people and injured 50 others. Local sources claim the shelter housed displaced families, many of whom were killed in the attack. The Israeli military stated the strike targeted a senior Islamic Jihad figure responsible for attacks on civilians, accusing the group of using civilians as human shields.