Hope for Injured Palestinians to Walk Again in Egypt

Published on November 1, 2023 on Al Jazeera

The opening of the Rafah border crossing represents a glimmer of hope for dozens of Palestinians who were wounded during Israel's war on Gaza. However, doctors emphasize that many more urgently require assistance. On November 1, critically injured Palestinians arrived at Al-Arish Hospital in Egypt through the Rafah border crossing, as Egyptian security guards carefully checked their ambulances [^1^].

A Chance for a New Lease on Life

Ismail Al-Fajm expressed relief that his seven-year-old nephew, Salem Sammour, was among the 81 wounded Palestinians able to cross from the besieged Gaza Strip into Egypt through the Rafah crossing. Just over two weeks ago, Sammour lost his father and other family members during an air raid. His body is now covered in shrapnel wounds that have resulted in excruciating pain. Furthermore, Sammour's mother also requires treatment for her own injuries [^1^].

"The medical capabilities in Gaza are limited, and the doctors weren't able to adequately treat the child's condition," explains Al-Fajm. "His treatment in Egypt represents hope and an opportunity for him to live" [^1^].

After weeks of negotiations, Qatar successfully brokered the limited evacuation of the first group of injured individuals from Gaza into Egypt. Ambulance vehicles were lined up at the Rafah crossing, ready to transport patients to hospitals across Egypt's Sinai Peninsula [^1^].

The Healing Power of Hope

Aseel Al-Astal, a ten-year-old girl, smiles through her pain and shares her joy about the possibility of being healed. Having lost over 15 relatives during Israeli bombing and sustaining multiple fractures herself, Al-Astal is eager to receive treatment and walk again. She playfully teases paramedics and bids farewell to her loved ones, pretending to leap from the wheelchair into the ambulance on her own [^1^].

Al-Astal's cousin reveals that although the girl underwent some medical procedures in the hospital, her health condition required treatment beyond Gaza's capabilities. Thus, she was included in the group selected for treatment in Egypt. Al-Astal's cousin, praying for her relative's recovery, hopes that others who were injured will also get a chance for a full recovery [^1^].

Urgent Need for Assistance

Dr. Nahed Abu Taaema, the director of Nasser Hospital, highlights the desperate need for immediate treatment for many of the remaining wounded Palestinians. He warns that several critically injured individuals have already passed away while waiting for the opportunity to travel abroad for treatment. Abu Taaema stresses that without timely medical intervention, more lives will be lost or further deteriorate [^1^].

A committee of doctors, consultants, and department heads compiled a prioritized list of individuals who require treatment in Egypt, giving precedence to children and women with injuries to the head, backbone, chest, and other critical areas. However, due to limited supplies and the severity of many cases, numerous other individuals who also require urgent attention did not make it onto the list [^1^].

This article shares the story of injured Palestinians crossing into Egypt from Gaza, hoping for a chance to receive life-saving treatment. While the opening of the Rafah border crossing provides hope for some, many more remain in critical condition and require immediate assistance. The situation underscores the need for continued efforts to ensure access to proper medical care for those affected by the Israel-Palestine conflict.

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[^1^]: Source: Al Jazeera