Recently, 25 Palestinian children were evacuated from Gaza to Jordan for medical treatment, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The operation, conducted by Jordanian authorities and WHO, aimed to provide essential care amidst severe medical shortages. Despite the successful evacuation, there remains a pressing need for further assistance, with the Jordanian government planning to evacuate even more critically ill children in the future.
On Tuesday, 25 wounded and sick Palestinian children were evacuated from Gaza to Jordan via a cautious convoy of ambulances and buses. This operation, conducted by the Jordanian army, health ministry, and WHO, occurred amid ongoing conflict and significant humanitarian needs within Gaza, where around 4,500 individuals urgently require medical evacuation according to the WHO.
Departing from Kerem Shalom crossing—historically a vital hub for humanitarian aid—the convoy represented a rare attempt to provide relief, especially now that Benjamin Netanyahu has halted all aid to Gaza. Once bustling with humanitarian trucks, the crossing was nearly deserted on this day, with only a few soldiers and Jordanian officials present.
The operation included four Jordanian air force helicopters, which transported four particularly critical children to Amman for emergency care, while the remaining 25 children traveled in ambulances alongside their guardians. The convoy moved from southern Gaza, traversing a landscape scarred by the recent outbreak of war, which began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a significant attack resulting in substantial civilian casualties in Israel.
As the convoy passed Israeli military equipment, including Merkava tanks, tensions remained high with ongoing precautionary measures in place, indicating continuing volatility. After a lengthy journey, the children, visibly exhausted, arrived in Jordan after sunset, navigating the challenges of fasting during Ramadan alongside their taxing transport.
Among the evacuees was 16-month-old Malik from al-Shati camp, who suffered an eye injury during bombardment; his mother, Ahlam Darwish, articulated the dire state of medical care in Gaza. With many healthcare facilities devastated, urgent surgeries have become impossible, rendering evacuation critical.
Seven-year-old Nada also made the journey; born with a congenital heart defect, her condition had worsened recently. Her anxious mother awaited confirmation of her daughter’s evacuation, emphasizing the uncertainty many families face: “Everybody in Gaza just needs to know what their future will be.”
Tariq al-Hamdan, an emergency room medic, expressed his relief that the mission was accomplished despite numerous delays and bureaucratic challenges. He echoed a common sentiment with, “We just wish we could have taken more children,” signifying the ongoing medical needs.
The Jordanian government aims to evacuate 2,000 critically ill children from Gaza, making the recent operation a modest yet vital step. As the next group of children awaits evacuation, uncertainty looms over when this will occur amid the potential for renewed conflict.
The evacuation of 25 Palestinian children from Gaza to Jordan underscores the severe humanitarian crisis in the region. With ongoing medical needs and the possibility of escalated conflict, this operation is a small yet significant step toward addressing the urgent health challenges faced by many. The commitment of the Jordanian government to assist critically ill patients remains amid the uncertainties that cloud future evacuations.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
