A Ray of Hope: Malnourished Gaza Infant Rescued for Treatment in Jordan

Siwar Ashour, a malnourished six-month-old baby from Gaza, has been evacuated to Jordan with her family for urgent treatment. Weighing only 3kg, Siwar's condition was exacerbated by the blockade limiting access to essential baby formula. With Jordan's aid, her family hopes to secure the treatment she desperately needs, fostering a sense of relief amidst ongoing challenges.

The fragile cries of six-month-old Siwar Ashour echoed as she was carefully carried from the bus, a stark reminder of the struggles faced by children born into conflict. Weighing just 3 kilograms (6.6 pounds), Siwar is painfully underweight, and her evacuation from Gaza to Jordan symbolizes a small yet significant victory in her battle against malnutrition.

Her mother, Najwa, aged 23, shared her emotional experience as they crossed into Jordan this Wednesday, surrounded by other Palestinian children in need. For Najwa, the relief was palpable; “It feels like there is a truce,” she mentioned, hopeful for a night free from the sounds of war. Accompanied by her blind husband Saleh and her own mother Reem, Najwa's primary concern remains the well-being of her daughter. “We want to get her to a safe shore,” Saleh expressed, overwhelmed by worry yet determined to see Siwar recover.

The journey marked a significant moment for Reem, who formed a V-sign for victory as she stepped onto Jordanian soil, exhilarated to see the image of King Abdullah at the border. This moment of relief comes after months of struggles—at one point, Najwa was unable to breastfeed Siwar due to her own malnutrition, and securing specialized milk formula was a daunting task amid an ongoing Israeli blockade.

Jordan’s commitment to aiding seriously ill children from Gaza was highlighted in a deal announced earlier this year, aiming to bring 2000 children to Amman for treatment, as the local medical facilities in Gaza could no longer handle the escalating health crisis. In a recent wave of evacuations, Siwar was one of 16 children flown to safety, each directly affected by the ravages of war.

Once in Jordan, Siwar, exhausted yet resilient, was surrounded by compassionate medical staff who provided food and drinks to tired families. The strain of escape was evident, both for parents and children who had grappled with the trauma of conflict, losing loved ones and being subjected to scarcity of basic necessities.

As the ambulance transported the family to Amman, Najwa succumbed to sleep, heavy with fatigue and pregnancy. Siwar remained alert in her grandmother’s arms, ready for the medical interventions she desperately needs. Alongside her, other families bore the weight of their own struggles, including two boys with cancer, highlighting the dire situation many face.

Upon arrival, Siwar was safely handed over to a nurse, embarking on a path toward healing that is wholly unattainable in Gaza's current conditions. With her family nearby, they can finally rest without the constant threat of violence, nurturing hope in an otherwise tumultuous landscape. This small beacon of hope illustrates the broader humanitarian crisis that continues to unfold in the region.