LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – An Omaha nurse who visited Gaza came to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on Tuesday, to share stories about the harrowing things he saw there.
Willy Massay has been to Gaza twice now, once during the current conflict that started in 2023. He said he volunteered through various organizations and was taken in by the World Health Organization to help.
During his time there, he saw a rash of gunshot and bombing patients, a lot of which were children and women.
“As a health care worker, holding the brains of a child in my hands after being shot by Israeli forces is not something that you’ll ever forget,” Massay said. “We’re not meant to be gathering brain matter and putting it back into the skull.”
Sharing stories, images and videos with graphic detail, Massay drew an array of uncomfortable reactions from the audience at the Nebraska Union. Some turned their heads to look away. Others were brought to tears.
But Massay said the things happening in Gaza should be seen by people here in Nebraska.
“It’s the only right thing to do,” he said. “Why can’t we stop and say enough is enough, especially for Americans? It’s our tax dollars.”
Massay said he’s seen Israeli forces kill innocent people, calling the conflict a “genocide.” He said children have been targeted, with shots aimed specifically at their genitals, to keep them from ever reproducing.
The brutality of it all worsened by a lack of workers and limited access to medical supplies like surgical gloves or even water. In some cases, Massay added he’s had to perform amputations and other surgeries without access to anesthesia or pain medications for patients.
“When we said after World War II ‘never again,’ that means never again,” he said. “Never again is now. Stop the killing. Why should we be paying for that?”
While he’d like to go back some day to continue treating people, Massay said it’s getting more and more challenging for health care workers to get into Gaza.
Tuesday’s event was put on by Students for Justice in Palestine, a student run group fighting against the funding of the war.
Leaders said University of Nebraska funds and U.S. tax dollars are being put towards weapons that ultimately lead to the violence seen in Gaza, and they want to continue spreading the word until it stops.
“I’m asking anyone, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, whatever religion, non-religious, if you have something in your heart to say ‘enough is enough of this killing and bloodshed,’ please speak up,” Massay said.
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Nebraska nurse shares harrowing details of time working in Gaza to UNL students – KOLN
