In a significant humanitarian effort, five busloads of sick and wounded Palestinians are set to leave Gaza for medical treatment abroad. This operation marks one of the Largest Medical Evacuation of Sick and Wounded Palestinians from Gaza Since War Began in October, following Hamas’s attack on Israel. The ensuing military operations by Israel have severely damaged Gaza’s healthcare system, making it difficult for the injured and ill to receive necessary care.
Health Crisis in Gaza
The World Health Organization reports that an additional 10,000 patients still need to be evacuated from Gaza. Due to the conflict, international journalists are barred from entering Gaza, but footage from local cameramen provides a glimpse into the dire situation.
Barbara Plett Usher from BBC News reports on this rare opportunity for Gaza’s sick and injured to receive the care they need. “This is the beginning of a long journey they hope,” she says, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding these evacuations.
Personal Stories of Suffering
One poignant story is that of Lise Abu Salim, who requires major surgery for her scoliosis, which has been delayed for six months. “I call on the whole world to look at us with compassion,” she pleads. Her mother expresses disbelief and relief that her daughter is among those selected for treatment abroad.
Many in Gaza have experienced immense loss and injury due to the ongoing conflict. One father recounts the devastating impact on his family: “My eldest son was killed, my father was killed, my youngest son Assa lost his sight, his left eye was blown out with a skull fracture. My middle son suffers from a leg injury and deformities, and I suffer a skull fracture, blindness in my left eye, and broken shoulder and ribs.“
Challenges and Hopes
Gaza remains a highly dangerous place, with the front lines continually shifting, forcing many to flee repeatedly with nowhere safe to go. This evacuation, while not the first, is the largest to date. Twelve-year-old Sara Marzuk, who lost her foot in an explosion, shares her hopes: “I wish that the war would end and that all children like me will be able to come with me and have artificial limbs fitted and receive treatment abroad. I also hope that I will return to see my father in peace.“
As these patients embark on their journey, it is a bittersweet moment filled with hope for healing and an end to the conflict. The evacuations highlight the urgent need for medical aid and the resilience of those affected by the war. Barbara Plett Usher concludes, “It’s a Bittersweet goodbye in the middle of a war, hoping for a cure and even more that they will see their families again and one day return.“