Palestinian babies reunited with parents after two years

Several premature infants evacuated from Al Shifa Hospital in November 2023 have been reunited with family members in Gaza; 11 returned on March 30 while others remain in Egypt and medical teams report ongoing prematurity-related complications.

Several premature babies who were separated from their parents at the start of the Israel-Hamas war have been reunited with family members in Gaza this week. Humanitarian teams, including the World Health Organization and the Palestinian Red Crescent, evacuated newborns from Al Shifa Hospital in November 2023 and moved many across the border to Egypt. Some of the children have now returned to Gaza and been examined by local pediatric teams. Others remain in Egypt with relatives, and medical staff report ongoing health needs linked to extreme prematurity. Known details: - On Nov. 19, 2023, humanitarian teams were given access to Al Shifa Hospital and evacuated newborns; 33 infants were reported trapped, 28 were taken to Egypt, and seven of those later died, leaving 21 survivors. - Of those survivors, 11 returned to Gaza on March 30, several others returned earlier when crossings opened, and six remain in Egypt with family members. - Gaza pediatricians who examined the returning toddlers said they are generally in normal weight and growth ranges but many face complications tied to extreme prematurity, including vision problems that require glasses. - Officials say some children may not have surviving family members and that in at least one case identity is disputed; with no DNA testing available in Gaza, confirmation is not possible. Summary: The recent returns allowed several mothers to hold children they had been separated from for about two and a half years, and medical teams report ongoing care needs related to prematurity. The status of children still in Egypt and the resolution of identity cases were reported, and next procedural steps are undetermined at this time.