Dozens of sick and injured children have been evacuated from the besieged Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom crossing. This marks the first medical evacuation in weeks, bringing hope to many families amid ongoing conflict.
Among the 68 children evacuated, 20 are cancer patients who have been transferred to Cairo, Egypt, for critical medical treatment. The evacuation was coordinated by COGAT, the Israeli agency responsible for aid approvals, along with the Israeli military, the US, Egypt, and the World Health Organization (WHO).
This operation comes as a significant relief for parents who have been struggling to secure lifesaving care for their children after more than eight months of continuous Israeli bombardment in Gaza. Samira Al-Saeedi, whose six-year-old daughter Jouri was among those evacuated, shared the immense challenges they faced. “It was a tough time for us in northern Gaza, nine months of exhaustion, displacement,” she told CNN. “People started stealing just to eat… Sick children cannot withstand famine.”
The successful evacuation underscores the dire need for humanitarian assistance and medical aid in conflict zones, highlighting the ongoing efforts of international and regional entities to address the urgent needs of vulnerable populations amidst the turmoil.
