Introduction to the Humanitarian Crisis
A new group of children from Gaza has arrived in Chicago to receive medical care after being wounded in Israeli attacks. The children, aged 1 to 16, have all lost limbs and will be treated at area hospitals free of charge.
Background on the Children
Yazan, 16, was playing with his cousins at home in November when the structure was struck by an Israeli missile, killing everyone but Yazan, and forcing doctors to amputate his legs below the knees. Adam, 4, was also at home when he was the only survivor of an Israeli missile strike; his parents were killed and his left leg had to be amputated. They were among four children from Gaza who arrived at O’Hare Airport on Sunday afternoon to receive medical care with assistance from the nonprofit Heal Palestine and the local Palestinian community.
The Humanitarian Effort
All four: 1-year-old Seedra, 4-year-old Adam, 16-year-old Yazan and 12-year-old Mohammed — lost limbs in Israeli attacks on Gaza, Heal Palestine said. The children will be treated at area hospitals free of charge, though Mohammed is being taken to Cleveland to be with his mother. “They’re just looking forward to being here, they want to start not just the healing process but to feel safe and maybe have a little fun because what they’ve gone through is traumatic,” Manal Moore, a representative at Heal Palestine’s Chicago branch, told the Sun-Times on Sunday.
The Scale of the Crisis
At least 322 Gazan children have been killed since the most recent ceasefire ended March 18, and more than 15,000 children have been killed since Israel started its campaign in Gaza, according to UNICEF. Over the weekend, Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip killed at least 32 people, including over a dozen women and children, local health officials said Sunday. However, there have been difficulties in getting the children out of Gaza and on their way to Chicago through Egypt and Austria.
Challenges in Providing Aid
“It’s been difficult to get them visas,” Moore said. “They’re selected by the seriousness of their cases, but it’s a strange thing to say because all the cases are serious.” At O’Hare, they were greeted by several of the children who were brought to Chicago for treatment last year, as well as many in the local community who responded to calls to welcome the children.
Community Support and Ongoing Treatment
One of the girls brought to the city last year, 5-year-old Sally, had brain surgery and a platinum plate placed in her skull to heal a head wound. She’s now in Egypt, and others have begun returning to their families around the world, though Heal Palestine doesn’t consider it safe to return them to Gaza as Israel relaunches military action in the area. The others are continuing to heal as they undergo more treatment and therapy here. “They’re learning to walk again with their prosthetics, they’re learning to swim and play piano, they’re learning English,” Moore said.
Additional Humanitarian Efforts
That need for action was exemplified in a recent campaign to find a local stem cell match for a 7-year-old Gazan girl brought to the U.S. last year. She has a rare blood condition that acts much like a blood cancer, according to Thaer Ahmad, a Chicago-area emergency medicine doctor who helped organize the drive. Ahmad, who has taken multiple humanitarian trips to Gaza to provide medical care, helped organize the testing drive locally after a match fell through and none of the 15 million people in the stem cell donor registry were a match.
Conclusion
The arrival of these children in Chicago highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the need for continued support and aid. The local community has come together to provide medical care and a safe environment for these children, but the long-term plan for their return home remains uncertain. As the conflict continues, it is essential to remember the human cost and the need for a peaceful resolution.
FAQs
- Q: How many children from Gaza have been killed since the most recent ceasefire ended?
A: At least 322 Gazan children have been killed since the most recent ceasefire ended March 18. - Q: How can I help the children from Gaza?
A: You can support organizations like Heal Palestine, which provides medical care and assistance to children from Gaza. You can also consider donating to stem cell registries or participating in local humanitarian efforts. - Q: What is the condition of the 7-year-old Gazan girl who needs a stem cell match?
A: She has a rare blood condition that acts much like a blood cancer, and without proper treatment, she has a life expectancy of about two years. - Q: How can I join the stem cell register?
A: You can order a test kit online for free, though the eligibility criteria include being between the ages of 18 and 40 and meeting certain medical requirements.
