Gaza’s fallen healer: Honoring Dr. Moaz Abo Rokba’s Legacy of Relentless Animal Care
Dr. Moaz Abo Rokba, a 30-year-old veterinarian in Gaza, was known for his relentless commitment to animal care. He was one of the few professionals in the region trained to perform surgical procedures on animals, including complex operations. Even after being displaced and losing his clinic, he refused to stop helping injured animals, performing surgeries in the streets, collaborating with rescue groups, and continuing his work under fire.
Dr. Moaz was killed by an Israeli airstrike on the first day of the ceasefire in October 2025, while returning to Jabalia to assess damage in his neighborhood. His wife, Rania Abu al-Foul, said, “Everyone in Gaza knew Moaz was innocent. He was only trying to heal animals. And yet, they killed him.”
Rania Abu al-Foul, Moaz’s wife, pictured with their two sons, Yossif, three, and Talat, one (MEE/Ahmed Dremly)
A Career Built on Care
Moaz earned his veterinary degree with distinction from Zagazig University in Egypt, returning to Gaza in 2019 to begin his practice. He trained at a local clinic, and in May 2023, he opened a small clinic in western Gaza City, offering affordable treatment for pets and rescuing strays.
He was known for performing complex surgeries, uterus removals, amputations, and treatments for poisoning, despite limited equipment.
Just before the war began, he was preparing Gaza’s first platinum implant surgery for a cat with a broken leg.
Moaz declined offers to teach at universities, choosing instead to remain hands-on. He studied surgical techniques through books and online tutorials, adapting global knowledge to Gaza’s limited conditions.
A Life of Relentless Care
Moaz’s work extended beyond medicine. He trained young volunteers, collaborated with Sulala Animal Rescue, and treated animals in the streets even after his clinic was destroyed. His commitment continued under bombardment and displacement, driven by a belief that animals deserved care regardless of circumstance.
His younger brother, Abdelrahman Abo Rokba, recalled: “Moaz was passionate, kind-hearted, generous, and deeply knowledgeable. He truly loved his work. He inspired me and many of our friends to study veterinary medicine to help more animals in Gaza.”
Abdelrahman Abo Rokba pictured in Gaza, with a photograph of his late brother Moaz hanging on the wall behind him (MEE/Ahmed Dremly)
Abdelrahman also shared how Moaz taught trainees to handle surgical emergencies and refused to stop helping, even under fire: “He would go out even during bombings to treat injured animals and feed hungry ones. Everyone respected him.”
Why His Story Matters
Dr. Moaz’s death is not only a personal tragedy; it is a loss for every animal he could have saved, every student he could have mentored, and every community that relied on his care. The Middle East Vegan Society honors him as a symbol of bravery and tireless devotion.