The US government suspended visitor visas for Gazans late on Saturday after complaints by a far-right influencer that wounded Palestinians were allowed to seek medical treatment in the country.
"All visitor visas for individuals from Gaza are being stopped while we conduct a full and thorough review of the process and procedures used to issue a small number of temporary medical-humanitarian visas in recent days," the State Department said on X.
The move has sparked condemnation from some Palestinian rights groups.
Palestine Children's Relief Fund said the decision "will have a devastating and irreversible impact on our ability to bring injured and critically ill children from Gaza to the United States for life-saving medical treatment".
The group urged the US to reverse its decision.
"Medical evacuations are a lifeline for the children of Gaza who would otherwise face unimaginable suffering or death due to the collapse of medical infrastructure in Gaza," it said.
The shift in policy came after Laura Loomer, a far-right activist who has close ties to President Donald Trump, criticised the American visa programme and called on Washington to "shut this abomination down".
She claimed those who have been transported to the US were "pro-HAMAS... affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood," without providing evidence.
Ms Loomer's target was the US-based charity HEAL Palestine, which said last week it had helped 11 critically wounded Gazan children, as well as their caregivers and siblings, arrive safely in the US for medical treatment.
It was "the largest single medical evacuation of injured children from Gaza to the US," the charity said on its website.
Ms Loomer said she had spoken to the staff of Republican Tom Cotton, who chairs the Senate intelligence committee, adding that they were "also looking into how these GAZANS got visas to come into the US".
After the decision was announced, the activist, who doesn't hold any political power, took credit for the move and thanked Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Republican Congressman Randy Fine commended Ms Loomer after the visa change was announced, a sign of her influence over some US policy.
"Massive credit needs to be given to @LauraLoomer for uncovering this and making me and other officials aware. Well done, Laura," Mr Fine wrote on X.
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
IF YOU GO
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info
Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.
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