Emotional Reunions: Premature Babies Return to Gaza After Two-Year Separation

Palestinian parents separated from their premature newborns during the war in Gaza finally met their children for the first time this Monday. The event marked an emotional reunion for at least 10 families in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip.

This marks the beginning of a new chapter for more than two dozen children born prematurely amidst the chaos of Israel's conflict with Hamas. The ordeal began in November 2023 when Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital was under siege and running out of fuel.

The Initial Evacuation and Ordeal

Dozens of premature babies, wrapped in aluminum foil to protect them from the cold, gained international attention at Al-Shifa Hospital. An operation coordinated by the Red Crescent and supported by the United Nations moved over two dozen tiny infants to Egypt for critical medical care.

While most of these children survived the initial medical crisis, their return to Gaza was blocked. Israel maintained a sealed border crossing until early this year due to ongoing operations against Hamas.

Parents Await Long-Awaited Meetings

Consequently, many families, including some parents, remained separated from their babies for an extended period. This separation ended on Monday when the children returned.

Sundus Al-Kurd, one of the mothers waiting in Khan Younis, described her anticipation to CBS News. "Today, a half an hour from now, I will meet my daughter for the first time, as if I were giving birth to her today. It's an indescribable feeling," she stated.

Al-Kurd shared her complex feelings: "I have mixed emotions. Fear that my daughter will not recognize us or accept us, and happiness as a mother reunited with her child once again."

The Journey Home

A total of 28 babies were initially transported to Egypt in 2023. Seven infants did not survive the ordeal, and some had previously returned during earlier ceasefires.

However, Gaza's Ministry of Health confirmed that 10 infants were brought back to the territory by bus on Monday. A few parents had previously joined their children, now approximately two-and-a-half years old, in Egypt, leaving other family members behind in Gaza.

Life Lived Through Photos

The returning children were accompanied by nurses, two of whom had remained with them throughout their entire time in Egypt. These nurses helped maintain contact by sending photos and videos to the families in Gaza.

Ahmed Al-Harsh, father of one of the children, shared his experience while waiting. "People carry their children in their hands, but I have been holding my son on the phone, as you see," he told CBS News, scrolling through images of his son growing up.

Al-Harsh noted the difficulty of the separation: "I won't be able to provide him with this life. He is two and a half years old now. I lived his life through these photos." He also revealed a profound personal loss, stating, "I only saw my child one time, in the hospital, when I took his mother and buried her."

Al-Harsh confirmed that his wife died from shrapnel wounds, though they successfully rescued their baby. "I am happy to see my son after two and a half years, but my happiness isn't complete without my family and loved ones. My father was hoping to see my child," he added.

A Moment of Relief Amidst Ongoing Struggle

Dr. Ahmed Al-Farra, pediatric director at Gaza's Nasser Hospital, stated that Monday marked the conclusion of this painful chapter for the infants. "Thank God, after two years, they came back, and their fathers and mothers recognized them. It was really a very great moment to see families reunited with their babies," he told CBS News upon their arrival.

Despite the reunion, families face continued challenges. As Al-Harsh concluded, "Life is hard in Gaza, and he won't receive the same care as he did in Egypt."