Ammon News - Egyptian-American surgeon Adam Hamawy, who treated wounded Palestinians in Gaza during Israel's genocidal war on the enclave, has won a seat in the US House of Representatives, making history as New Jersey's first Muslim congressman.

The Democrat defeated Republican Gregg Mele in New Jersey's 12th Congressional District in Tuesday's midterm elections, according to the Associated Press.

Hamawy, a former US Army combat surgeon, secured around 71% of the vote with 80% of ballots counted, according to figures reported by the AP on election night.

His victory marks a milestone for New Jersey's Arab-American community and will see him succeed retiring Democratic congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, who has represented the district since 2015.

In an exclusive interview with The New Arab ahead of the Democratic primary in June, Hamawy said his experiences as a doctor and military veteran had motivated him to seek public office.

"It's important for me to run. I have a unique experience being a veteran and a doctor. I've seen the effects of policy on everyday people," he told The New Arab.

"As we enter another time of war, it's important to think of all the communities that are impacted. All policy decisions are happening in Washington," he added.

Born in Egypt, Hamawy moved to New Jersey with his family as an infant and later studied medicine at Rutgers University.

He served eight years in the US Army, including a deployment to Baghdad during the Iraq War, before establishing a plastic surgery practice in Princeton.

During his military service, he helped save the life of Tammy Duckworth, now a Democratic senator, after her helicopter was shot down in Iraq in 2004.