A 14-year-old boy from Gaza, named Anwar, has arrived in San Antonio, Texas, to start his healing journey after suffering severe injuries from an airstrike. This evacuation is part of what the nonprofit HEAL Palestine describes as the largest single medical evacuation of injured children from Gaza to the United States. Anwar, who lost part of his leg due to the ongoing conflict, was among a group of children evacuated for long-term medical treatment.
HEAL Palestine has been working tirelessly to provide relief and long-term support to those affected by the conflict in the Middle East. According to the organization, Anwar was placed on a waitlist for evacuation after they initially met him and his family in Gaza. Following months of negotiations, he, along with his 6-year-old sister and their mother, secured permission to leave the region.
Anwar arrived in San Antonio on the morning of March 15, 2024, where he joined ten other children wounded in Gaza. These children are being transported to various cities across the United States, including Dallas, Galveston, and Boston, to receive medical care, rehabilitation, and support.
HEAL Palestine, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, has arranged host families and free medical care for the children. As part of these efforts, two other children, aged 7 and 10, also arrived in Houston on the afternoon of March 14, 2024.
“These children could not wait,” stated Zeena Salman, cofounder of HEAL Palestine. “Their lives are at stake, and this mission is about giving them a future.”
The journey for Anwar and other children began on July 30, 2023, when they and their families crossed from Gaza into Jordan. Following their arrival, they underwent health screenings and obtained U.S. visas, even celebrating one child’s 12th birthday during the process.
Upon landing at San Antonio International Airport, Anwar was welcomed by supporters who cheered and chanted his name. HEAL Palestine has indicated that the San Antonio community has mobilized a team of volunteers to address Anwar’s needs, including medical care, education, mental health support, and recreational activities.
The ongoing conflict has taken a devastating toll on the population in Gaza. As of late July, the Gaza Health Ministry reported that over 60,000 Palestinians have died since the war escalated following Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023. While exact figures on civilian and militant casualties remain unclear, the ministry has indicated that women and children represent approximately half of the fatalities. Moreover, Israel’s military operations have led to widespread destruction across Gaza, displacing around 90% of the population and resulting in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
The arrival of Anwar and other children in the United States marks a significant step towards providing the necessary medical care and support to those affected by the ongoing conflict in Gaza.