Despite the Israeli authorities' attempt to shut out aid workers and the media from the conflict zone, NORWAC (the Norwegian Aid Committee) succeeded in getting some of its envoys into the heart of Gaza City including two doctors: Erik Fosse and Mads Gilbert. For some time, the two were the only Western eyewitnesses in Gaza. This book is an account of their experience during sixteen harrowing days from 27 December 2008 to 12 January 2009. Each chapter covers just one day, as the reader follows the doctors' journey through the ravaged city, treating local Palestinians and hearing their stories. Hailed by the influential Norwegian Newspaper Klassekampen as the 'best book of 2009,' Mads Gilbert's and Erik Fosse's shocking, yet sober account sheds much-needed light on this recent chapter of one of the most prolonged and complex conflicts of our time. Eyes In Gaza is translated from the Norwegian.
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Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Mads Fredrik Gilbert is a Norwegian doctor. He received his PhD at the University of Iowa, is a specialist in anaesthesiology and a leader of the Emergency Medicine Department of the University of Troms since 1995. He has served as a doctor with NORWAC extensively in the Palestinian Territories and Lebanon. Erik Fosse is a Norwegian musician, doctor and professor of medicine at the University of Oslo, specialising in general surgery. Mads Gilbert and Erik Fosse have been interviewed on their experiences in Gaza for the BBC, CBS, CNN, ABC, Independent, Sky News, and New York Times.
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28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
On December 27, 2008 Israel began a 3 week assault on the Gaza Strip. I don't wish to discuss the politics on either side of this long-standing conflict. You can research that for yourself - just please read from multiple sources about both sides of the issue.
During the build-up before the initial assault, there were many governments, NGO's and press trying to get some of their people into Gaza, but Israel allowed almost no one in. The Norwegians, however, did manage to get two doctors in. They are the only witnesses many of the Palestinian civilians have of their ordeal. Their story is told chronologically, one day at a time. Through them you learn what happened to the Palestinians on a personal level. They give a face to the many statistics: Israelis killed- 9, Palestinians - 1417; Israeli children killed - 0, Palestinian children killed - 313; UN humanitarian supply depot destroyed denying 750,000 people food and fuel; 21,000 Palestinian houses destroyed, as well as many schools, hospitals and factories.
The doctors were additionally able to provide testimony as to the kinds of weapons being used. Israel at first denied the use of white phosphorus and DIME weapons, but the doctors, who were treating wounds inflicted by these weapons, were able to say otherwise. I commend them for their bravery - they put themselves in harm's way, they defied authorities when necessary, and they helped the many civilians injured (more than 5000) during the conflict. Their day to day existence was full of heartbreak, determination to help, and keeping their wits.
Of course there are many books on this topic, told from both sides. And ever since the flotillas attempted to break through the blockades, there has been more press coverage than ever on this region. This book, however, focuses on two doctors trying to help people during one brief period of time. It's a story well told, and following the timeline makes you feel more connected to the events.
I keep writing then deleting, writing then deleting, because I'm trying not to sound too politically oriented in this review. I know this is an incredibly heated topic about which many people feel beyond passionate. In the end, I can only suggest that you read this book for more insight into a very difficult and painful state of affairs.
During the build-up before the initial assault, there were many governments, NGO's and press trying to get some of their people into Gaza, but Israel allowed almost no one in. The Norwegians, however, did manage to get two doctors in. They are the only witnesses many of the Palestinian civilians have of their ordeal. Their story is told chronologically, one day at a time. Through them you learn what happened to the Palestinians on a personal level. They give a face to the many statistics: Israelis killed- 9, Palestinians - 1417; Israeli children killed - 0, Palestinian children killed - 313; UN humanitarian supply depot destroyed denying 750,000 people food and fuel; 21,000 Palestinian houses destroyed, as well as many schools, hospitals and factories.
The doctors were additionally able to provide testimony as to the kinds of weapons being used. Israel at first denied the use of white phosphorus and DIME weapons, but the doctors, who were treating wounds inflicted by these weapons, were able to say otherwise. I commend them for their bravery - they put themselves in harm's way, they defied authorities when necessary, and they helped the many civilians injured (more than 5000) during the conflict. Their day to day existence was full of heartbreak, determination to help, and keeping their wits.
Of course there are many books on this topic, told from both sides. And ever since the flotillas attempted to break through the blockades, there has been more press coverage than ever on this region. This book, however, focuses on two doctors trying to help people during one brief period of time. It's a story well told, and following the timeline makes you feel more connected to the events.
I keep writing then deleting, writing then deleting, because I'm trying not to sound too politically oriented in this review. I know this is an incredibly heated topic about which many people feel beyond passionate. In the end, I can only suggest that you read this book for more insight into a very difficult and painful state of affairs.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By Julia
Format:Hardcover
I've known Dr. Mads for a almost 2 years now and have been blown away by his work. I anticipated the release of his book in English like a child waiting for Santa on Christmas, and I'm happy to say it lived up to expectations. Eyes in Gaza is a phenomenal first hand account of the invasion in 2008/09. It not only brings to life the situation but gives the background on it as well in a manner that isn't overwhelming to the reader and makes it easy to understand. Having worked in Gaza myself, I truly believe this is a book that every person in the world should read so that they can truly understand life under siege, occupation, and war. I only hope that Eyes in Gaza has the impact that it should and helps the world to see that something must be done to save Gaza.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By unknown
Format:Hardcover
Comes from heart and sits right in heart.
It is my expression after reading this honest piece of work by 2 hero doctors, Erik and Mads.
We are living in the information era and it doesn't necessarily mean honest and fair information. At the same time we are living in the era of bias and inception which is deceiving us quietly through false information. However there are still some righteous and truth seeker people out there and after reading this book I have to call Erik and Mads two of them.
As soon as the most recent Israeli assault on Gaza began, they began their journey right before Christmas of 2008 form Norway to Gaza.
While Israelis had systematically prevented any foreign journalist to get in Gaza during this month long war, Erik and Mads, surgeon and anesthesiologist, managed to get there around the new year of 2009 and treat patients at Al-shifa hospital, the main hospital in Gaza, in the most critical situation just miles away from the Israeli artillery and tanks and under frequent flying of drones right above their heads.
What I liked about this book is that, it was so honest and accurate. They had no interest, whatsoever to fabricate any story or modify the facts. They tried their best to cite references and show evidences although it has been too hard to gather evidence in that situations.
It is a book I recommend to everyone who is seeking the truth.
It is my expression after reading this honest piece of work by 2 hero doctors, Erik and Mads.
We are living in the information era and it doesn't necessarily mean honest and fair information. At the same time we are living in the era of bias and inception which is deceiving us quietly through false information. However there are still some righteous and truth seeker people out there and after reading this book I have to call Erik and Mads two of them.
As soon as the most recent Israeli assault on Gaza began, they began their journey right before Christmas of 2008 form Norway to Gaza.
While Israelis had systematically prevented any foreign journalist to get in Gaza during this month long war, Erik and Mads, surgeon and anesthesiologist, managed to get there around the new year of 2009 and treat patients at Al-shifa hospital, the main hospital in Gaza, in the most critical situation just miles away from the Israeli artillery and tanks and under frequent flying of drones right above their heads.
What I liked about this book is that, it was so honest and accurate. They had no interest, whatsoever to fabricate any story or modify the facts. They tried their best to cite references and show evidences although it has been too hard to gather evidence in that situations.
It is a book I recommend to everyone who is seeking the truth.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love the book
Really great book! The author sheds light on the suffering of the people of Gaza at the hands of the occupation forces.
Published 1 month ago by Amjed Shacker
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Other Side of the Wall
An Israeli friend asked me to read this book. I read mostly during lunch hours, which I don't recommend because too many days I ended up in tears. Read more
Published 11 months ago by CathytheSpherical
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