Jordan has begun to receive children from Gaza needing urgent medical care, with 29 having arrived recently. This is part of a broader agreement to assist 2,000 children, amid estimates of 4,500 needing treatment. Concerns remain about the future of these children returning to Gaza after their medical treatment, especially given the unpredictable ceasefire situation.
The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 4,500 children in Gaza urgently require medical assistance. Recently, twenty-nine children were transported to Jordan, marking the first group of 2,000 children approved by the Jordanian government to receive specialized medical care due to the on-going conflict. This group consists of various critical cases, including amputees and infants with heart defects.
The evacuation had faced delays, but the transfer was ultimately executed on Tuesday. Some patients were evacuated by air, while the majority traveled via road through Israel to reach the Jordanian border. Additional evacuations for cancer patients are anticipated in the forthcoming days.
Among the children evacuated was six-month-old Naveen, who suffers from a congenital heart defect and significant weight loss. Her mother, Enas, shared, “It was difficult in Gaza, there was no treatment I could get for her.” She described the challenging conditions and her concerns for Naveen’s health, noting, “She was losing weight… she hasn’t put on even one kilogram in the last six months.”
Accompanying Naveen was Enas’s fifteen-year-old daughter Jenna. Enas had to leave numerous family members behind, including her twin sons, taking with her only a few personal items. Naveen is currently hospitalized in Amman for diagnostic tests and treatment.
In a recent diplomatic meeting, King Abdullah of Jordan rejected Donald Trump’s proposal for forcibly relocating Palestinians from Gaza but agreed to facilitate medical care for affected children. The Jordanian government has assured that the children and their guardians will be permitted to return to Gaza after their treatment is completed, although the future of this repatriation remains uncertain due to the volatile ceasefire situation.
The critical medical situation for children in Gaza prompts urgent international attention, with Jordan stepping up to provide necessary care. The evacuation of 2,000 children, starting with the arrival of twenty-nine, underscores the dire humanitarian crisis. Continued support and clarity on repatriation are vital as the ceasefire situation remains unstable.
Original Source: news.sky.com
