Gaza children are sent back to war zone following medical care after Jordan rejects requests to stay
AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — When Haitham Abu Daqa's 5-month-old daughter developed a heart problem that could not be addressed near their home in Gaza, the family sought medical help in Jordan, where she underwent successful open-heart surgery.
After the surgery, Daqa's wife, who was with their daughter, pleaded with Jordanian officials to be allowed to stay. She feared that little Nevine's recovery would be at risk in the war-ravaged Palestinian enclave that has few functioning medical facilities. But the officials insisted that the family had to go home.
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Winnipeg Free Press
6 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Province holds formal event marking arrival of Gazan families
Premier Wab Kinew says Manitoba is taking early steps toward welcoming a third family from Gaza, as the province marked the arrival of two Gazan families earlier this year with a formal event hosted by the Manitoba Islamic Association. 'Right at the start of the process, but we've started the process of working with the medical experts who are volunteering their time here in Manitoba,' Kinew said. 'Now that we've done it a few times, there is effectively a pathway open.' The first family — a mother and her 11-year-old son — arrived in Winnipeg in January. The second, including a young boy, his two younger siblings, their mother, and grandmother, arrived in May. Since their arrival, both boys have undergone medical procedures and attended multiple appointments. Kinew said the arrivals came after a detailed process involving consultations to identify families in displaced from Gaza with medical needs that could be met by Manitoba's health-care system. He also noted there were 'serious' security screenings and paperwork to navigate international travel requirements. Ruheen Aziz, vice-chair of the Manitoba Islamic Association, said the goal is to continue expanding support to more families. 'These kids need a lot of treatment, a lot of medical care, along with the family,' Aziz said. 'They are medical concerns. They were identified with Doctors Without Borders in Eqypt. We know that the care they require is extensive. That's all I can share on that front. They are adjusting well to the Winnipeg community, the school system, the larger community as well. They're happy to be here.' The children range in age from nine to 12. Both families still have relatives — including husbands and children — left behind in Gaza and Egypt. Kinew acknowledged that the security situation has limited who can be brought over. 'Beyond that, it's not a provincial issue,' he said. 'There really is a limit to what a province can do.' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Aziz called the support from Winnipeg's Islamic community 'very humbling.' The families have received an outpouring of donations, including clothes, food, and gifts. Community members have also helped with transportation and translation. During the event, MIA chair Hakim Ghulam and Sheikh Ismael Mukhtar welcomed the families and urged political leaders to take a principled approach to the conflict in the Middle East. 'Do not be pro-Palestinian, do not be pro-Israel, don't be pro-Jews, do not be pro-Muslims,' he said. 'Stand for justice, stand for peace, stand for fairness. Perhaps this is a small step, and perhaps we can do more.' Added Ghulam: 'We need to stand up at this time and become the voice of the voiceless people. And we need to stand up and help to alleviate the suffering that is going on.' Scott BilleckReporter Scott Billeck is a general assignment reporter for the Free Press. A Creative Communications graduate from Red River College, Scott has more than a decade's worth of experience covering hockey, football and global pandemics. He joined the Free Press in 2024. Read more about Scott. Every piece of reporting Scott produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Toronto Star
12 hours ago
- Toronto Star
Palestinians say Israeli fire kills 12 near aid sites. Israel says it fired warning shots
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli fire killed at least 12 people and wounded others as they headed toward two aid distribution points in the Gaza Strip run by an Israeli and U.S.-backed group, Palestinian health officials and witnesses said Sunday. Israel's military said it fired warning shots at people who approached its forces. The past two weeks have seen frequent shootings near the new hubs where thousands of Palestinians — desperate after 20 months of war — are being directed to collect food. Witnesses say nearby Israeli troops have opened fire, and more than 80 people have been killed, according to Gaza hospital officials.
Global News
15 hours ago
- Global News
Palestinians say Israeli fire kills 5 near aid sites. Israel says it fired warning shots
Israeli fire killed at least five people and wounded others as they headed toward two aid distribution points in Gaza run by an Israeli and U.S.-backed group, Palestinian health officials and witnesses said Sunday. Israel's military said it fired warning shots at people who approached its forces. The past two weeks have seen frequent shootings near the new hubs where thousands of Palestinians — desperate after 20 months of war — are being directed to collect food. Witnesses say nearby Israeli troops have opened fire, and more than 80 people have been killed, according to Gaza hospital officials. In all, at least 108 bodies were brought to hospitals in Gaza over the past 48 hours, the territory's health ministry said. Israel's military said it struck dozens of militant targets throughout Gaza over the past day. Four of the latest bodies were brought to Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis. Palestinian witnesses said Israeli forces fired on them at a roundabout around a kilometre from a site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in nearby Rafah. Story continues below advertisement Israel's military said it fired warning shots at 'suspects' who had advanced toward its forces and ignored warnings to turn away. It said the shooting occurred in an area that is considered an active combat zone at night. Al-Awda Hospital said it received the body of a 42-year-old man and 29 people who were wounded near another GHF aid distribution point in central Gaza. The military said it fired warning shots in the area at around 6:40 a.m. but did not see any casualties. A GHF official said there was no violence in or around its distribution sites, all three of which delivered aid on Sunday. The group closed them temporarily last week to discuss safety measures with Israel's military and has warned people to stay on designated access routes. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. The new aid hubs are set up inside Israeli military zones where independent media have no access. Witnesses fear for their safety Witnesses said the shooting in southern Gaza occurred at around 6 a.m., when they were told the site would open. Many headed toward it early, seeking desperately needed food before the crowds arrived. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Adham Dahman, who was at Nasser Hospital with a bandage on his chin, said a tank fired toward them. 'We didn't know how to escape,' he said. 'This is trap for us, not aid.' Story continues below advertisement Zahed Ben Hassan said someone next to him was shot in the head. He said he and others pulled the body from the scene. 'They said it was a safe area from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. … So why did they start shooting at us?' he said. 'There was light out, and they have their cameras and can clearly see us.' 2:24 Palestinians hold Eid al-Adha prayers at graveyards, ruins of mosques The military announced on Friday that the sites would be open during those hours, and that the area would be a closed military zone the rest of the time. Children cried over their father's body at the hospital. 'I can't see you like this, Dad!' one girl said. Aid distributed inside Israeli military zones Gaza's roughly two-million Palestinians are almost completely reliant on international aid because nearly all food production capabilities have been destroyed. Story continues below advertisement The new aid hubs are run by GHF, a new group of mainly American contractors. Israel wants it to replace a system co-ordinated by the United Nations and international aid groups. Israel and the United States accuse the Hamas militant group of stealing aid. The U.N. denies there is systematic diversion. The U.N. says the new system is unable to meet mounting needs, allows Israel to use aid as a weapon by determining who can receive it and forces people to relocate to where aid sites are positioned. The U.N. system has struggled to deliver aid, even after Israel eased its complete blockade of Gaza last month. U.N. officials say their efforts are hindered by Israeli military restrictions, the breakdown of law and order and widespread looting. Experts warned earlier this year that Gaza was at critical risk of famine if Israel did not lift its blockade and halt its military campaign. Both were renewed in March. Israeli officials have said the offensive will continue until all hostages are returned and Hamas is defeated or disarmed and sent into exile. Story continues below advertisement Hamas has said it will only release the remaining hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Talks mediated by the U.S., Egypt and Qatar have been deadlocked for months. Hamas started the war with its attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, when Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took another 251 hostage. They still hold 55 hostages, fewer than half of them alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Israel has recovered dozens of bodies, including three in recent days, and rescued eight living hostages during the war. Israel's military campaign has killed over 54,800 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry. It says women and children make up most of the dead but does not say how many civilians or combatants were killed. Israel says it has killed over 20,000 militants, without providing evidence. The war has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced around 90 per cent of its population. 1:28 Israel retrieves body of Thai hostage as 95 people reported killed in Gaza –with files from The Associated Press' Melanie Lidman
