American Doctor Denied Re-entry to Gaza After Witnessing Attacks on Children

An American emergency room physician who has volunteered multiple times in Gaza reports being barred from returning to the region after speaking out about the violence she observed, including children shot by Israeli forces. Dr. Mimi Syed, who works out of Olympia, Washington, shared that she was explicitly prevented from re-entering Gaza while staying in Jordan—without any official explanation.

Syed has been vocal about atrocities witnessed during her medical missions, which included providing critical care amid ongoing conflict. She contributed photographs and testimony to a controversial op-ed highlighting the injuries and suffering of children, such as CT scans of child victims with bullets lodged in their skulls.

She was preparing for her third mission, scheduled to last three to four weeks, similar to her previous trips earlier this year. The timing coincides with Israel’s planned ground invasion of Gaza City and reports of famine and starvation worsening. Meanwhile, the U.S. has paused all humanitarian visas for Palestinians, citing ongoing review processes amid misinformation spreading on social media.

Syed attributes her denial to her outspoken media presence, suggesting that the restriction is part of a broader effort to limit external exposure. She expressed frustration, noting that her supplies—baby formula, medical devices, and food—are now inaccessible as she prepares to return home earlier than planned. Despite the setback, she remains committed to raising awareness about the crisis.