His full name was Dr. Maisara Azmi Ibrahim Alrayyes. That name is no longer only the name of a physician, it has been etched into history as a symbol of medical heroism demonstrated on the frontlines. He was born in a community that is long subjected to war and isolation. Dr. Alrayyes name has, over time, become synonymous with resistance and sacrifice.

Born on January 31, 1995, Maisara spent his childhood and youth amid the blockade and political instability in Gaza. At the age of only 28, he was martyred on November 5, 2023, when an Israeli airstrike targeted his family home. Despite his short life, he lived a profoundly meaningful and impactful existence, one that many could not encompass within a lifetime!

Dr. Alrayyes was not only a physician but also an active advocate for public health and a committed humanitarian volunteer. From trauma care training to international health research, he took on multiple roles, establishing himself as a versatile professional. Above all, he regarded the preservation and improvement of human life as a fundamental duty. For him, medicine was not merely a profession but a moral obligation, particularly towards those living under conditions of war, poverty, and blockade. His work in emergency health services, women’s and children’s health, and humanitarian aid education made him a vital figure at the intersection of medicine and social justice.

During his studies in London, he met Dr. Laura Elhayek, a fellow Chevening scholar, who later became his wife. Their relationship was built on mutual respect, shared ideals, and a passion for serving humanity. At the time of his martyrdom, Laura was abroad, and the couple was expecting their first child. The joy of parenthood was tragically replaced with the grief of a future lost before it could even begin.

Maisara’s academic journey began at Al-Azhar University in Gaza. In 2018, he graduated with honors from the Faculty of Medicine, quickly becoming known for his intellect and leadership qualities. In 2019, he was awarded the Chevening Scholarship—one of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious programs, and began his specialization in Women’s and Children’s Health at King’s College London. For his thesis, he researched how conflict conditions hindered access to maternal and child healthcare in Gaza, a subject that resonated with him both professionally and personally.

His career balanced direct medical interventions in the field with strategic humanitarian leadership. From 2017........

© Stratejik Düşünce Enstitüsü