After spending over 40 days in Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Hani Mohammad Abu Zarqa received a call that brought relief to his family. His six-month-old daughter, Habiba, was scheduled to be transferred from Gaza to southern Turkey for urgent medical treatment. However, his five-year-old son, Abdullah, who was also critically ill with rickets, was initially not included in the transfer plans. Abdullah had been suffering from rickets since the age of two, a condition that led to weakened bones and severe vitamin D deficiency. The ongoing war further deteriorated Abdullah’s health, as evident from pictures showing his frail and emaciated appearance.
After some administrative hurdles, Abdullah was eventually added to the transfer list, and the family of five was flown out from Israel’s Ramon airport. They made a stop in Belgium before reaching Turkey, where both children were admitted to a hospital in Adana. Tragically, just four days later, Abdullah experienced severe stomach pain and passed away suddenly, despite efforts to secure medical treatment earlier.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with more than 10,000 patients evacuated since the conflict began. However, over 16,000 individuals are still awaiting evacuation, risking further health deterioration due to the devastated state of Gaza’s hospitals after years of conflict.
Gaza’s medical facilities are struggling, with less than half of the hospitals operational and facing shortages of essential supplies and healthcare staff, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Although medical aid has increased since a ceasefire was implemented, the number of medical evacuations remains limited due to closed border crossings, including the Rafah crossing into Egypt.
Numerous patients have died while waiting for transfer abroad, with Doctors Without Borders highlighting the critical lack of resources hindering life-saving interventions. The stories of individuals like Abdullah and Habiba underscore the urgent need for improved healthcare access in Gaza.
Abu Zarqa shared that Abdullah’s condition had been managed with medication and supplements before the conflict escalated, but shortages made it challenging to continue the treatment. Abdullah’s health further declined following an injury in 2024, leaving him with multiple fractures and mobility issues.
In another heartbreaking case, Habiba, born in early spring, was diagnosed with glycogen storage disease in Turkey after doctors there identified her enlarged liver and recurring infections. Both children’s medical conditions highlight the struggles faced by families in Gaza seeking adequate healthcare amidst ongoing conflict.
The Abu Zarqa family, now in Turkey, faces uncertainty about their future as they focus on Habiba’s treatment. Mohammed Hammouda, a former physiotherapist, also relocated to Turkey for medical care after losing his clinic and home in airstrikes. His injuries have left him with mobility challenges, adding to the family’s concerns about their well-being and future prospects.