'I want to go back': A New York nurse's journey to Gaza and back 

Since the start of the Israeli war in Gaza on 7 October, Rohaan Gill has been part of several WhatsApp groups trying to find a way into the war zone, but it seemed impossible. 

The 28-year-old registered nurse based in Brooklyn, New York, could not sit still while seeing the atrocities happening thousands of kilometres away. He said he felt ashamed, frustrated and guilty.

"The whole point of me pursuing a career is to use my skills to help our people," Gill, a Brooklyn native of Pakistani-origin told Middle East Eye. "If I can't even do that, then what is the point?"

One day in April, a group chat Gill was a part of, Doctors Against Genocide, put out a call for medical volunteers. Gill didn't hesitate and immediately signed up.

"I went to my mom after I signed up. I asked her if she'd be ok if they called me to Gaza," Gill said. "She told me 'It's your duty. You'd have to go and I would never be able to stop you.'"

So on 29 April, Gill left for the journey of a lifetime after getting the go-ahead. For a trip that was only meant to last a week, Gill ended up staying in Palestine for nearly a month.

Read more: 'I want to go back': A New York nurse's journey to Gaza and back