Infants Evacuated from Gaza Hospital Return to Parents
Eleven toddlers who were evacuated from the neonatal intensive care unit at Gaza’s Al Shifa hospital in November 2023 reunited with their families on Monday. The UN-organized mission marked a significant milestone, bringing tears of joy and closure to one of the war’s most painful chapters.
The infants among 29 preterm babies were evacuated during an Israeli force raid over accusations that Hamas used the hospital for military purposes. Due to ongoing fighting and closed borders, parents could not accompany their children across Egypt.
One mother, Sundus Al-Kurd, expressed her joy at finally holding her daughter Bissan after two and a half years of separation. She vowed to make up for what her child missed during that time.
Seven infants died in Egypt while the remaining 11 were reunited with family outside Palestinian territory. The Israeli airstrikes killed several members of the Al-Kurd family, including their sister Habiba, who was born on the same day as Bissan.
The mission enabled by a US-brokered deal last October halted most fighting and allowed Israel to reopen Gaza’s sole border crossing with Egypt. During the war, Israel accused Hamas of using hospitals for weapons storage and tunnel networks, which were denied by the groups. The airstrikes destroyed or damaged many medical facilities, including neonatal units, in Gaza.
Mohamed Abu Selmia, director of Al Shifa Hospital, highlighted the shortage of essential medications and medical supplies needed for premature infants, with around 52% of basic medicines unavailable in Gaza.