Sick and wounded Gazan children enter Egypt in first medical evacuation at Rafah for months

These were suspended after Israel seized the crossing in May

Egyptian medics receive young Palestinian patients evacuated from Gaza through Rafah crossing, at Al Arish General Hospital in North Sinai, northern Egypt. AFP

Dozens of seriously ill and wounded children from Gaza were taken across the Rafah crossing on Saturday for the first medical evacuation through the border with Egypt since Israel’s military seized control of the area last May.

The Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, which went into effect on January 19, allows 50 patients, along with companions, to pass through the Rafah crossing each day. The crossing reopened on Friday after undergoing repairs to damage caused by the war.

The first batch of patients includes children wounded in the war as well as those with cancer and other serious conditions who require specialised medical procedures unavailable in Gaza because of the destruction of the healthcare sector during the war, said Dr Mohammed Zaqout, General Director of Hospitals in the Palestinian enclave.

“Two days ago, we submitted a list to the Egyptian authorities, who approved the transfer of 50 children based on medical priority,” Dr Zaqout told The National. “The wounded and ill patients were gathered at Al Shifa and Nasser hospitals to facilitate their direct transfer to the border crossings at Netzarim and Rafah.”

Gaza’s Health Ministry announced on Friday that the initial group of 50 patients, accompanied by their caregivers, would be transported through the Rafah border crossing in buses arranged by the World Health Organisation.

Eight-month-old Ahmad Saker is among 50 children evacuated from Gaza for medical treatment on Saturday. Photo Mohammed Abu Amra for The National

Among the patients leaving Gaza on Saturday were Ablaa Mansour’s three grandchildren. They were severely injured in an Israeli attack on January 14 that killed their parents and three siblings, Ms Mansour said.

“My grandchildren survived, but they have endured serious injuries and have been hospitalised since,” she told The National.

Yara Abu Jalalaa, 15, lost both of her legs, while her 14-year-old brother, Sohaib, suffered severe head trauma, including a fractured skull, and their sister Yara, 11, lost a leg.

Their recovery will be difficult, especially after losing their parents. I have to stay by their side and hope that medical care will give them a chance at a better future

Ablaa Mansour,
grandmother

“They were inside a tent when they were targeted,” Ms Mansour said. “They no longer have a home to return to. Our hope is that they can receive the medical treatment they need to improve their quality of life. Their recovery will be difficult, especially after losing their parents. I have to stay by their side and hope that medical care will give them a chance at a better future.”

One of the youngest patients is Adam Saker, eight months old, who was born with high blood pressure, his father Ahamd Saker said.

“Doctors in Gaza were unable to treat him properly. At four months old, his eyes began to enlarge abnormally, and he was diagnosed with an eye infection that ultimately caused his blindness,” Mr Saker said.

Adam underwent two minor operations in Gaza, but requires complex surgery that is unavailable in Gaza, he said. “We are hopeful that he will receive the necessary medical intervention abroad. This operation is our only hope to improve his condition.”

Dr Zaqout said the number of patients being transferred needed to be much higher. “Today, 100 patients were scheduled to depart for treatment, but unfortunately, only 50 were granted permission. These patients will receive care in Egyptian government hospitals. We urgently call on other Arab countries to accept additional patients in need of treatment.”