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As sirens blared at Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer, warning of incoming rockets on Thursday, a group of Israeli surgeons continued to operate on a Palestinian baby, alongside an Israeli child, in the intensive care ward, which is not adequately protected from rocket strikes.
The Palestinian infant was suffering from multiple birth defects and arrived at the hospital attached to a respirator.
"The baby required an emergency tracheostomy when the siren began," recounted Dr. Marina Rubenstein, a senior physician at the pediatric intensive care unit at Sheba Medical Center.
"Our doctors didn't even move from the bed," she said, even though all Israelis are instructed to enter a protected space when the sirens sound.
"Our responsibility is to young children, regardless of where the child is from or the child's religion," Dr. Rubenstein said. "The children aren't responsible for the situation, but perhaps these children will at some point become our ambassadors and remember their treatment here."
