Gaza Mother Separated from Year-Old Triplets Amid Ongoing Conflict
A Gaza mother remains separated from her year-old triplets born in East Jerusalem due to the ongoing conflict. The babies, cared for at Al-Makassed hospital, communicate with their mother via video calls.
In a poignant illustration of the human cost of the ongoing Gaza conflict, Hanan al-Bayouk, a 26-year-old Palestinian mother, remains separated from her year-old triplet daughters. The separation, which began shortly after their premature birth in East Jerusalem in August 2023, continues due to the escalating tensions between Israel and Gaza.
Al-Bayouk traveled to East Jerusalem, which has been under Israeli occupation since 1967, for a high-risk delivery. Premature births, accounting for about 10% of all births worldwide, often require specialized care. The triplets, Najwa, Nour, and Najmah, were born underweight and required intensive care at Al-Makassed hospital, the largest Palestinian medical facility in East Jerusalem.
Due to strict movement restrictions imposed on Palestinians, al-Bayouk was compelled to return to Gaza while her daughters were still in the neonatal intensive care unit. These units, first established in the 1960s, have significantly improved survival rates for premature infants. By the time the triplets were ready to be discharged, the conflict had intensified, leaving the mother stranded in Gaza.
The Gaza Strip, under blockade since 2007, is one of the most densely populated areas globally. The current conflict, which erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, has had devastating consequences for the civilian population, particularly children.
In March 2024, UNICEF, established in 1946 to protect children's rights, reported that over 13,000 children had lost their lives in the Gaza conflict. The agency also highlighted the severe malnutrition affecting many children, a condition that can lead to long-term developmental issues.
In stark contrast, the triplets at Al-Makassed hospital are thriving. Dr. Hatem Khammash, director of neonatal intensive care, reports that the girls are developing normally, both mentally and physically. However, he notes the emotional toll of separation from their mother, highlighting the importance of early mother-child bonding for optimal development.
Communication between al-Bayouk and her daughters relies on video calls, a technology that became widely available in the early 2000s. The hospital staff use WhatsApp, founded in 2009, to facilitate these virtual interactions when internet access is available in Gaza. It's worth noting that since 2016, the UN has considered internet access a basic human right.
"The only thing that makes us sad, is that they are far away from their mother."
The ongoing conflict, which has resulted in over 41,206 Palestinian casualties and 95,337 injuries, continues to hinder efforts for family reunification. As ceasefire negotiations show little progress, the separation between al-Bayouk and her triplets serves as a poignant reminder of the conflict's impact on families.
This situation underscores the complex interplay of medical advancements, geopolitical tensions, and human rights issues. As the triplets, born in a 1 in 10,000 natural occurrence, continue to grow, their story highlights the urgent need for peaceful resolution and the restoration of family bonds torn apart by conflict.
