Palestinian children sent back to war-ravaged Gaza after medical treatment in Jordan

Australia Broadcast Center

3 days ago

Family reunions are normally times of happiness and joy. For Palestinian mother Enas Abu Daqqa, any relief in seeing her children after more than two months away has been tempered with deep anxiety.
Earlier this year she was evacuated from Gaza to Jordan along with her baby daughter Niveen, who desperately needed open-heart surgery.
"The treatment was excellent, she underwent surgery and the preparation was thorough," Enas told the ABC.
"The doctors in Jordan, at a specialised hospital, were highly dedicated."
Enas and Niveen left Gaza in March, while a ceasefire was in force. They have returned to an intense bombardment, with the family now living in a tent in "suffocating heat".
"We were deeply afraid of returning, coming back to war and fear," Enas said.
"We would have preferred not to come back at this time — a ceasefire would have made things easier."
Enas also said her daughter, who was born with a hole in her heart, had been sent back to Gaza before her treatment was completed — a claim Jordanian authorities have denied.
"I was not able to obtain her medical records, which are essential for continuing her care," she said.
"Of course I missed my children, my family, my parents and the ones I love in Gaza — yet … I fear for my daughter.
"I am afraid that her health deteriorates — she is not gaining weight, I fear she'll experience heart failure."
Niveen was among the first of a planned 2,000 Gazan children to be evacuated from the enclave and taken to Jordan for medical treatment.
Now those children have started being sent back to the war-ravaged strip, despite protests from their families. Some parents, such as Enas, also claim their children have been sent back to Gaza before their medical treatment was finished.
The ABC first met Enas and Niveen when they were brought into Jordan in early March.
It had taken the ambulances a full day's travel cross-country from the European Hospital in southern Gaza before arriving at the King Hussein border crossing in the West Bank.
But relief was etched across the young mother's face, despite the arduous journey. Her daughter, then just five months old, was finally getting help.
The return trip in mid-May was very different.
"The situation was terrifying as we made our way back," she said.
"We had to stop constantly along the road, I had no diapers, no milk for her, and not even water to keep her hydrated."
Along the way, Enas received distressing news. Her husband and their other children were injured in an attack while waiting for their return to the European Hospital.
Then they arrived at the Gaza border and were searched by Israelis, who confiscated personal belongings before letting them cross.
The Jordanian government said it was "unfortunately true" that Gazans had been searched.
Enas and Niveen were not the only ones sent back into a war zone.
Mohammed Qatoush and his nine-year-old son, Abdul, were in the same convoy that returned to Gaza from Jordan in mid-May.
Abdul lost a leg in an Israeli air strike and needed a prosthesis fitted by doctors in Jordan.
But Mohammed said Abdul's new prosthetic leg was too big for him.
"When we fit a prosthetic leg, it's meant to avoid causing any damage to his remaining limb," Mohammed said.
"However, this prosthetic is 2 centimetres longer than it should be.
"We informed the doctors about the issue, but they gave the excuse that he would grow taller."
Mohammed said the doctors insisted the larger prosthetic would last four to five years without needing to be replaced.
"This means he's essentially stuck with it for four years, which could lead to additional problems with his hips," he said.
"They address one issue, only to create another that will need treatment."
Worried about his son's wellbeing, Mohammed sought other medical opinions in Jordan.
"I met with Belgian doctors who examined the prosthetic — they informed me that using this particular prosthetic could cause long-term damage to his joint," he said.
"We were deceived — instead of allowing us to complete our treatment, they brought us back to Gaza where the European Hospital was bombed.
"I am truly grateful to the people of Jordan for their kindness, but the government did not provide any support for our expenses."
Mohammed and Abdul's journey back from Jordan was also scarring.
Israeli security contractors searched them when they were re-entering Gaza, Mohammed said.
"We were freaking out," he said.
"My son was under the seat in the bus.
"They stopped the Jordanian bus that was taking us — 10 Jeeps surrounded us, they were pointing their guns at us, the children were terrorised."
Israel's defense ministry confirmed searches were carried out.
"During the security check of Gaza residents returning from medical treatment in Jordan, some individuals were found carrying undeclared cash amounts exceeding normal limits," it said in a statement.
"The funds, suspected of being intended for terrorist use within Gaza, are being held while the circumstances are investigated."
Jordanian officials said it was made clear to Palestinians being evacuated that they would have to return after completing their medical treatment "to allow Jordan to bring more patients".
Seventeen children and their escorts were returned in mid-May, and another 10 Palestinian children needing cancer treatment have been evacuated from Gaza since.
"Jordan's policy is to support Palestinians' steadfastness on their homeland, and not to contribute in any way to their displacement," Minister of Government Communication and Government spokesperson Mohammad Momani said in a statement.
"These patients were brought to Jordan and returned to Gaza under the same circumstances."
Mr Momani said it was "completely false" to suggest the children were returned to Gaza without finishing their medical treatment, and were not appropriately supported in Jordan.
"They all received the best medical care at Jordan's top hospitals, and their families were provided with the best possible accommodations," he said.
"Some of these patients underwent delicate surgeries, and they are all in good health now."