Ten premature infants, evacuated from Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital in November 2023 during the height of the Israel-Hamas war, were reunited with their families in Khan Younis on March 30, 2026. The babies, born amid fuel shortages and collapsing medical infrastructure, were airlifted to Egypt by the Red Crescent with UN support. Twenty-eight infants were initially evacuated; seven died. The remaining children spent over two years under care in Egypt, largely separated from parents trapped in Gaza.
Sundus Al-Kurd, one mother, described the moment as "indescribable," fearing her daughter would not recognize her. Ahmed Al-Harsh, who lost his wife and 12 family members in the conflict, said he had only seen his son through photos sent by nurses who stayed with the child in Egypt. "I lived his life through these photos," he told CBS News.
Dr. Ahmed Al-Farra of Nasser Hospital called the reunions a profound moment. Yet, families now face renewed hardship: Gaza’s medical system remains devastated. "He won’t receive the same care as he did in Egypt," Al-Harsh said. The return marks the end of one chapter, not the end of struggle.