Habiba al-Askari, a 2-year-old girl from Gaza, faces a critical medical situation as gangrene spreads across her arms and legs. Doctors warn that she has only days to live without urgent medical intervention. Despite receiving formal permission to leave Gaza, Israeli authorities delayed her medical evacuation at the last minute, according to Jordanian officials. This delay comes amidst a two-week standstill on medical evacuations from the region, highlighting the dire need for improved healthcare access.
Dr. Mohamed Kuziez, an American pediatrician who treated Habiba in Gaza City weeks ago, expressed deep concern over the situation. He noted that Habiba's condition could have been treated successfully if she had access to appropriate medical facilities. Dr. Kuziez said, "I'm trying to be there to support the mom, to try and provide whatever medical advice we can provide."
The delay in Habiba's evacuation represents a broader issue affecting Gaza. According to United Nations reports, at least 2,500 children in Gaza require urgent medical evacuation, with approximately 12,000 individuals still awaiting the chance to receive critical care outside the Palestinian enclave. The healthcare system in Gaza has been severely impacted by years of conflict, leaving it unable to treat many serious conditions effectively. Dr. Kuziez lamented, "my heart wanted to just take her with me in my arms and run across the border with her."
COGAT, the Israeli agency responsible for coordinating movement permissions for Gaza residents, confirmed that Habiba received authorization to leave. In recent months, COGAT has facilitated 24 medical evacuations for 1,075 residents seeking treatment abroad. However, these efforts have not kept pace with the urgent needs within the region.
The last successful medical evacuation from Gaza occurred on January 16, when 12 patients were transported to European countries for treatment. Since then, no further evacuations have taken place. This halt leaves many patients like Habiba in a perilous situation as they await potentially life-saving treatment.
Habiba was admitted to an intensive care unit in Gaza with a suspected lung infection on Thursday morning. Doctors have determined that her right leg will require amputation, and they fear it may be too late to save her arms. The condition is highly treatable under normal circumstances but is exacerbated by the lack of adequate healthcare resources in Gaza.
The Jordanian authorities remain committed to advocating for Habiba's evacuation and stand ready to act immediately once approval is granted. Meanwhile, Dr. Kuziez continues his efforts from afar, holding onto hope for the young girl's survival. "There’s still hope for her," he stated, "but it’s just decreasing by the minute."
