Four children evacuated from 'catastrophic' situation in Gaza to Ireland for medical treatment

Buildings that were destroyed during the Israeli ground and air operations in the Gaza Strip. Niall O’Keeffe, Head of International and Migration, Irish Red Cross, said that the children are arriving from 'catastrophic' conditions in Gaza. Photo: AP/Ariel Schalit

Four sick children have been evacuated from Gaza to Ireland for medical care as the country struggles amid “catastrophic” conditions, with aid blocked from entering the territory for two months, and fear ramping up after fresh Israeli threats to seize more of the beleaguered strip.

Doctors from Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) worked with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to identify sick and injured children who would benefit from treatment in Ireland. 

Four children arrived in Dublin on Monday evening accompanied by immediate family. The group travelled from Egypt on a plane provided by the Norwegian government for the medical evacuation and were accompanied by two doctors and two nurses from CHI, three Irish Red Cross case workers and a translator. 

Government approval was secured in September 2024 for Ireland to evacuate a number of sick children from Gaza for treatment and care, following an appeal from the WHO. Monday's arrivals are the second group of children medically evacuated from Gaza to Ireland.

Tánaiste Simon Harris said that these children who have travelled for urgent medical care "have lived through hell for a significant chunk of their lives. It is difficult to imagine the suffering they have experienced.

“We must keep our focus on the urgent need to stop the conflict. Gaza has received no humanitarian or commercial supplies for many weeks as a result of the Israeli blockade."

Minister for health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, said: “I’m pleased that the second medical evacuation of Palestinian children and their carers/guardians to Ireland has now happened, and that the Irish health service is now providing care to these children.

There is no justification for the deliberate attacks on civilians and healthcare services in Gaza and the loss of life has been devastating. Ireland has been clear that this conflict should stop. 

Ireland will receive up to 30 paediatric patients in total from Gaza.

Under this initiative the children and their families are housed in accommodation managed by the Irish Red Cross. They also receive a caseworker and translation services. Psycho-social assessment for both patients and carers are provided by the HSE. All patients and carers received health screening prior to travel.

Niall O’Keeffe, Head of International and Migration, Irish Red Cross, said that the children are arriving from "catastrophic" conditions in Gaza. 

“The situation for children in Gaza is dire, and especially so for those with medical needs. We cannot begin to comprehend the deeply traumatic experiences that these children and their families have lived through."