Toddler’s Life Hangs in the Balance as Medical Evacuation Stalls
Two-year-old Habiba al-Askari is battling against time as gangrene spreads through her limbs. Without urgent medical intervention outside of Gaza, doctors warn she has only days to live. Suffering from protein C deficiency—a rare genetic disorder causing severe blood clotting—Habiba’s condition is treatable, but the destruction of Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure has left her without the care she desperately needs.
International aid organizations had secured permission for her transfer to Jordan for treatment, coordinating with Israeli authorities for her evacuation. Despite receiving formal approval, last-minute delays from Israeli officials have halted the mission, leaving Habiba stranded in Gaza, her condition deteriorating by the hour.
Her mother, Rana, overwhelmed with grief, cannot comprehend why her daughter is being denied a chance at survival. “She is just a child. What crime has she committed?” she pleads, her voice breaking with emotion.
A Medical Crisis Unfolds
Habiba is one of approximately 2,500 children in Gaza in urgent need of medical evacuation, according to the United Nations. While a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas included provisions for increased medical transfers, no patients have been evacuated since mid-January. The World Health Organization reports that about 12,000 individuals remain on the waiting list for life-saving medical transport.
Israeli authorities previously facilitated 24 medical evacuations for over 1,000 Gaza residents in recent months, but the backlog continues to grow. With no immediate action, children like Habiba face grim outcomes.
A Race Against Time
On Thursday, Habiba was placed in intensive care due to a suspected lung infection. Her arms and right leg have already turned black from gangrene, with doctors warning that amputation is imminent. If left untreated, the infection could spread into her bloodstream, causing sepsis, organ failure, and ultimately, death.
Dr. Mohamed Kuziez, an American pediatrician who previously treated Habiba while volunteering in Gaza, is devastated by the news of her decline. “She needed medical attention weeks ago. If she had access to proper care, this wouldn’t be happening,” he laments.
Since returning to the U.S., Dr. Kuziez has maintained contact with Habiba’s medical team, offering guidance where possible. However, he fears that time is slipping away. “There’s still hope, but every passing minute decreases her chances,” he says, his voice filled with anguish.
Calls for Urgent Action
Jordanian authorities have reiterated their readiness to proceed with Habiba’s evacuation the moment Israeli approval is granted. Medical experts stress that any further delays could be fatal.
Dr. Kuziez underscores the gravity of the situation, warning that withholding evacuation is tantamount to a death sentence. “This child needs immediate critical care. Every medical professional understands the urgency. Without action, we are watching a preventable tragedy unfold.”
As Gaza’s medical crisis worsens, the fate of children like Habiba highlights the devastating impact of healthcare restrictions in conflict zones. The world watches as a toddler fights for her life, waiting for the permission that could mean the difference between survival and tragedy.
