A one-year-old Palestinian girl, Siwar Ashour, has been hospitalized in Gaza after being repatriated from Jordan, where she received treatment for severe nutritional problems. Siwar returned to Gaza on December 3 following six months of medical treatment in Amman under a medical evacuation program administered by the Kingdom of Jordan.
Her grandmother, Sahar Ashour, reported that Siwar became ill three days after her return. "She started having diarrhoea and vomiting and her situation keeps getting worse. The diarrhoea won't go away," Sahar Ashour stated to a freelance journalist reporting from Gaza. Access for international journalists to Gaza has been restricted by Israel since the onset of the conflict nearly two years ago.
Current Medical Condition and Hospital Strain
Siwar is currently receiving treatment at al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the central Gaza Strip. Dr. Khalil al-Daqran, attending to Siwar, indicated that while she is "receiving the necessary treatment, the situation is still bad for her." He diagnosed Siwar with a gastro-intestinal infection. Her condition is complicated by an immune system deficiency that hinders her ability to combat bacteria and challenges in nutrient absorption, necessitating specialized baby formula.
Dr. Daqran reported an increase in child admissions to Gaza's hospitals. Some of these facilities sustained damage from Israeli military operations and fighting with Hamas before an October ceasefire. He attributed the spread of infections and diseases to poor hygiene conditions resulting from infrastructure damage.
"Since the ceasefire was announced, the number of child patients arriving at Gaza Strip hospitals is three times the capacity… The situation at al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital is no different from other hospitals in the Gaza Strip," Dr. Daqran stated. He further noted severe shortages of medicines, medical supplies, and electric generators, which are critical for hospital operations. The World Health Organization (WHO) has characterized the humanitarian needs in Gaza as "staggering," with existing aid only covering "the most basic survival requirements."
Jordan's Evacuation Policy and Broader Aid Efforts
Siwar was initially evacuated to Jordan in June. Dr. Mohammed al-Momani, Jordan's Minister of Communications, confirmed that Siwar was among 45 children who were returned to Gaza after completing their medical treatment. According to Jordan's evacuation scheme, all patients are repatriated upon conclusion of their medical attention.
When questioned about returning vulnerable children to current conditions in Gaza, Dr. al-Momani provided two reasons for the policy: "No patient is sent back before they finish their medical treatment… the first reason [why they are returned] is that this will allow us to bring more patients from Gaza. We cannot take all of them at once. We have to take them in batches. So far we have taken 18 batches." He added, "The second reason is that we don't want to contribute in any shape or form to the displacement of Palestinians from their land and all patients are told… after treatment you are sent back so other patients and other children can be brought in for treatment."
Jordan's aid efforts include operating a field hospital in Gaza and delivering supplies via air drops and road convoys. The kingdom hosts over 2 million Palestinian refugees, who have been displaced since 1948, and 500,000 refugees from other nations. Since March, approximately 300 sick and wounded children, along with 730 parents and guardians, have been transported to Jordan for treatment, out of 2000 scheduled. Other regional nations, such as the United Arab Emirates and Turkey, have also treated thousands of civilians from Gaza.
Aid Challenges in Gaza
The specialized formula milk required by Siwar has been either unavailable or in limited supply during the ongoing conflict. In March, Israel implemented a total blockade on aid into Gaza, which was partially lifted after 11 weeks. Despite a surge in aid deliveries since the ceasefire, the UN and various aid agencies report that humanitarian supplies remain insufficient. Siwar's family is currently seeking her re-evacuation due to her deteriorating condition.