Frail but determined, six-month-old Siwar Ashour was carried off a coach into Jordan, escaping the horrors of war-torn Gaza. At only 3kg (6.6lb), Siwar is half her ideal weight, a victim of malnutrition exacerbated by the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Her mother, Najwa, 23, expressed sheer relief at entering the tranquil Jordanian territory, remarking, "It feels like there is a truce. We will spend our night without rockets and bombing with God's will."
Accompanied by her blind father Saleh and her grandmother Reem, Siwar's journey symbolized more than mere transit; it represented hope for survival and recovery. "The first and last goal of this trip is Siwar," Saleh declared, overwhelmed with concern for his daughter. Reem celebrated the arrival with a sign of victory, realizing the challenges that lay behind them.
Back in April, Siwar was documented at a southern Gaza hospital, battling severe malnutrition due to a lack of necessary milk formula, which her mother could not provide through breastfeeding due to her own nutritional deficiencies. While aid was trickling in through eased Israeli blockades, the reality of Gaza's medical infrastructure was apparent, prompting urgent evacuation efforts.
A collaboration between Jordan's King Abdullah and former U.S. President Donald Trump led to the evacuation of 2,000 critically ill children, with Siwar being one of the most recent. On Wednesday, as 16 children were transported, the sense of communal distress was palpable. Families, accustomed to fleeing conflict and searching for sustenance, seemed visibly exhausted. Najwa shared the devastating anxiety of being separated from her husband as she sought care for Siwar, one she initially thought would be temporary.
As the family traveled to Amman, Siwar remained alert in her grandmother's embrace, surrounded by other children needing urgent care. Upon arrival, she was greeted by Jordanian medical staff offering comfort and nourishment—an unfamiliar yet welcome relief.
In the coming days, Siwar will receive vital medical assessment and treatment that remains inaccessible in Gaza. Her family, filled with a sense of cautious optimism, will be able to rest without the shadow of fear. Their harrowing escape highlights the urgent humanitarian needs precipitated by the ongoing conflict as families seek refuge and healing amid devastation.
