Evacuation of 25 Palestinian Children from Gaza to Jordan for Medical Care

On Tuesday, a convoy evacuated 25 injured Palestinian children from Gaza to Jordan for urgent medical treatment amidst ongoing conflict. This effort, led by the Jordanian army and WHO, aimed to meet the critical health needs of individuals in Gaza, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation. Future evacuation plans remain uncertain due to the volatile environment.

On Tuesday, a convoy of twelve ambulances and buses transported 25 Palestinian children, injured and ill, from Gaza to Jordan for medical treatment. These children are part of the 4,500 individuals identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) in urgent need of evacuation amidst the ongoing conflict. The operation was a collaborative effort involving the Jordanian army, the health ministry, and the WHO.

The journey commenced at the Kerem Shalom crossing, historically significant for humanitarian aid deliveries but now largely deserted due to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s blockade. As the convoy moved through areas impacted by warfare, the large car park at Kerem Shalom held only a few soldiers and visitors. Four critically ill children were flown to Amman via Jordanian air force helicopters, while the remaining were transported in ambulances catered for their guardians and siblings.

Traveling through territories that experienced the onset of hostilities on October 7, 2023, the motorcade passed military checkpoints while under heightened security. At the end of the long journey, the families arrived in Jordan, fatigued and under stress, particularly as they were observing Ramadan during their travels. This weighed heavily on the young patients, such as 16-month-old Malik, struck in the eye by debris during bombings, needing urgent surgical attention unavailable in Gaza.

Ahlam Darwish expressed her desperation regarding the lack of medical resources, stating, “Nothing was possible in Gaza.” Conditions had slightly improved during the ceasefire until the recent blockade reignited fears of ongoing violence and skyrocketing prices for essential supplies. Similarly, seven-year-old Nada, born with a heart defect, faced uncertainty about receiving necessary medical treatment until the convoy reached Jordan.

Nada’s mother highlighted the anxiety felt by many families in Gaza, longing to know their future. Medevac efforts like this one are vital, as confirmed by emergency room medic Tariq al-Hamdan: “Nada will get the care she needs here.” Although the convoy’s long journey involved extensive waiting, the team felt a sense of accomplishment. Al-Hamdan noted, “We just wish we could have taken more children,” reflecting on the broader evacuation goals.

The Jordanian government aims to evacuate 2,000 critically ill children from Gaza, making this mission a preliminary step towards that objective. However, evacuations are contingent upon the successful treatment of those currently transported, with uncertainties about future operations given the volatile situation.

The evacuation of 25 Palestinian children from Gaza to Jordan highlights the critical medical needs amid ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises. The collaborative effort among various agencies signifies hope but underscores the limited capacity to address the overwhelming demands. As the Jordanian government sets out to assist more children, uncertainties about the continuation of hostilities loom large, creating an urgent need for sustained humanitarian intervention.

Original Source: www.theguardian.com