Premature Babies Evacuated to Egypt Amidst Gaza Conflict
In the midst of the conflict in Gaza, a premature baby girl born just before the outbreak of war faced a perilous journey from Al Shifa Hospital to safety in Egypt. Lobna al-Saik, the baby’s mother, recounted the ordeal as she, along with 27 other parents, accompanied their infants in a convoy of ambulances through the Rafah border crossing.
The evacuation, documented by Egyptian television, showed medical staff carefully transferring tiny babies from Palestinian ambulances to mobile incubators, eventually moving them to Egyptian ambulances. The infants, among the 31 moved from Al Shifa Hospital to a maternity hospital in Rafah, were dressed in only diapers and small green hats before being transported to Egyptian hospitals.
Dr. Rick Brennan from the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 11 or 12 of the infants were critically ill, while the rest faced serious health issues, including infections and low body temperature. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus mentioned that 12 of the babies were flown to Cairo for treatment.
The global attention on these newborns began when images surfaced of them lying side by side on beds at Al Shifa Hospital, where incubators had been turned off due to power shortages during Israel’s military assault on Gaza City. Since the initial reports, eight of the 39 babies have sadly passed away.
Lobna al-Saik shared details of her own heartbreaking situation, explaining that her baby had been receiving oxygen at Al Shifa due to breathing difficulties after being born prematurely. Fleeing their home during the war, the family moved to the south of Gaza, leaving the baby behind at Al Shifa. With deteriorating conditions at the hospital, the baby’s health declined further due to shortages of essentials like electricity, water, and medicine.
The emotional reunion between mother and baby took place in Rafah, but al-Saik had to leave her other children behind in Gaza to accompany her sick daughter to Egypt. Jeremy Hopkins, head of UNICEF in Cairo, mentioned that efforts were underway to understand the circumstances of each baby, providing necessary support beyond immediate medical care.
Dr. Mohammad Salama, head of the neonatal unit at Al-Helal Al-Emairati Maternity Hospital in Rafah, described the catastrophic condition of the babies upon arrival, with issues ranging from malnutrition to dehydration and low temperatures. He reassured that the infants were stabilized before evacuation, some with their mothers and others accompanied by medical staff.
As the conflict continues, with Hamas triggering the war and Israel responding with a relentless bombardment and ground invasion, the toll on the people of Gaza remains devastating. Health officials report thousands of Palestinian casualties, including children, and a significant displacement of the population. The international community closely watches the unfolding humanitarian crisis in the region.