Family of Palestinian surgeon operating in Gaza ‘harassed’ by UK police

A Palestinian surgeon in Gaza said his family in the UK was “harassed” by Britain’s counter-terrorism police.

Dr Ghassan Abu Sitta, a world-renowned plastic surgeon specialising in conflict medicine, wrote on Twitter that British Counterterrorism police had visited his family home. 

He repeated this claim again to the BBC when he was interviewed about the situation in Gaza.

When asked why the Police came to his family home, Sitteh described it as a “brutish attempt at harassment to silence me.”

“I mean, as if my wife did not have enough to worry about, she had to endure this today,” said Sitteh.

“I need to find out why someone thought it would be a good idea for them to show up at my house and ask my wife which part of the hospital I'm in, why did I go and who paid for my ticket, and which charity I work for? At this time, at these difficult times? My family is seeing this bombing unfold, knowing very well that I'm in the midst of it. And to have them harassed in this way is just bizarre.”

Middle East Eye contacted police officials for comment but has not yet received a response.

British counter terrorism police has showed up at my house in the UK and harrased my family.

— Ghassan Abu Sitta (@GhassanAbuSitt1) October 16, 2023