Gaza’s Children Suffer Amid Medical Evacuation Delays Gaza’s Children Suffer Amid Medical Evacuation Delays

In Gaza, thousands of children with severe medical conditions are waiting desperately for permission to leave the region for life-saving treatment. The delays, caused by complex bureaucratic processes and security checks imposed by Israeli authorities, have led to tragic consequences, with some children dying before they can receive the care they need.

One heartbreaking example is 12-year-old Islam al-Rayahen, who had leukemia and urgently needed a stem cell transplant. Despite six applications for medical evacuation by his family, Israeli authorities denied each request for undisclosed “security reasons.” UNICEF officials who visited him in late October described the child as malnourished and in unbearable pain. Islam died just three days later.

A Broken Healthcare System

The healthcare system in Gaza has been severely damaged by years of conflict, and the ongoing 15-month military campaign has pushed it to the brink. Of the territory’s 36 hospitals, only 17 are functioning, and even these are overwhelmed by patients with war injuries as well as chronic conditions. Equipment has been destroyed, specialized doctors are scarce, and medical supplies are running out.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 14,000 patients in Gaza require urgent evacuation, including 2,500 children. Gaza's Health Ministry puts the number even higher, with 22,000 people needing treatment unavailable in the region. Among them are 7,000 individuals in critical condition who could die without immediate care.

The Long Wait for Approval

Medical evacuations from Gaza require Israeli permission. In the past, around 100 patients a day were transferred out of the region. However, since May 2023, when the Rafah border crossing was closed and Israeli forces took control of the Kerem Shalom crossing, the rate has plummeted to fewer than two patients per day.

This slowdown has left many families in limbo. Approvals often take months, and even when patients are cleared, their caregivers—usually parents or grandparents—are sometimes rejected on vague security grounds, leaving children unable to travel. Organizations like Doctors Without Borders report that requests are frequently denied without explanation, creating immense frustration and heartbreak for families.

Stories of Suffering

The human cost of these delays is devastating. Two-year-old Osaid Shaheen was diagnosed with eye cancer in April 2023. His family initially applied for evacuation through the Rafah crossing, but it was shut down. Subsequent applications for travel through Kerem Shalom were rejected. During the months of waiting, the cancer spread to both of Osaid’s eyes. Doctors in Gaza, struggling with limited supplies, warn that if he does not receive proper treatment soon, they will have to remove his eyes to prevent the cancer from spreading further.

“I didn’t expect that a child could get a security rejection,” said Osaid’s mother, Sondos Abu Libda. “How will he live his life without seeing? How will he play or have a future?”

Four-year-old Qusay al-Askari is another child caught in this crisis. He has a heart defect that could lead to paralysis if he doesn’t receive surgery soon. His mother, Nima, has been waiting for months to hear whether he will be allowed to leave Gaza. “Should I wait until my son becomes paralyzed?” she asked, her voice heavy with despair.

The Role of Israeli Authorities

The Israeli military’s Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) is responsible for processing evacuation requests. Officials say every application is subject to a security review, including checks for potential “connections to terrorism.” However, critics argue that these decisions often appear arbitrary and lack transparency.

Humanitarian organizations, including UNICEF and Doctors Without Borders, have expressed frustration at the slow pace of approvals and the lack of clear explanations for rejections. “These children cannot afford to wait. They’re dying while the world watches,” said Rosalia Bollen, a UNICEF official.

A Worsening Crisis

Since the war between Israel and Hamas escalated in October 2023, more than 44,500 Palestinians have been killed, and over 105,000 injured, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The destruction has made it nearly impossible for local healthcare facilities to keep up with the needs of the population. Gaza’s only dedicated cancer hospital was seized and heavily damaged in the conflict, leaving patients with no options for advanced treatment within the region.

Even when medical evacuations are approved, they do not always proceed smoothly. In one instance, Doctors Without Borders sought to transfer eight children in November 2023. While five were approved, their mothers or grandmothers were rejected as escorts. Without caregivers, the evacuations couldn’t move forward, leaving the children stranded in Gaza.

The Impact on Families

The delays and rejections are taking an emotional and physical toll on families. Many are living in dire conditions, sheltering in tent camps with little access to clean water or food. Parents describe watching their children suffer in pain, unable to provide the care they need.

For example, two-year-old Al-Hassan is suffering from kidney failure. His mother, Asma Saed, has been waiting for three months to hear whether he will be allowed to leave Gaza for treatment. In the meantime, she and her son are living in a squalid camp in Khan Younis. “He screams all night,” she said. “I just want him to live like any other child who can walk, play, and smile.”

Urgent Action Needed

Humanitarian organizations are calling on the international community to intervene and ensure timely medical evacuations for Gaza’s patients, especially children. The stakes are high: delays in treatment can mean the difference between life and death.

As families wait in anguishwin888 slot, the message from aid groups is clear: time is running out. Without immediate action, many more children in Gaza will face preventable suffering and death.

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