CAIRO/GAZA - In a heart-wrenching situation, a group of 28 premature newborns, including a baby girl born just before the outbreak of war, have been evacuated from Gaza to Egypt for critical medical care. The infants, who were being treated at Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, were separated from their families and faced dire conditions as the hospital collapsed during the conflict. The evacuation of the infants, which took place on Monday, was captured on Egyptian television and has garnered global attention.

Lobna al-Saik, the mother of one of the infants, expressed her anguish in a video interview provided by the Egyptian government, emphasizing the innocence of these newborns. "They are innocent children, premature babies," she said, clearly exhausted. Al-Saik's plea to the world was simple: "enough." The video footage showed medical staff at Rafah carefully handling the tiny babies and placing them in mobile incubators before transferring them to Egyptian hospitals.

According to Dr. Rick Brennan of the World Health Organization (WHO), out of the 31 infants who were moved from Al Shifa Hospital to a maternity hospital in Rafah, 11 or 12 are critically ill, while the rest are seriously ill. The newborns are suffering from serious infections, low body temperature, and require specialized care. As a result, 12 of the infants were flown to Cairo for immediate attention.

These premature babies first gained attention when distressing images emerged showing them lying side by side on beds at Al Shifa Hospital, as their incubators were turned off due to a lack of power amidst the ongoing military assault on Gaza City by Israel. At the time, there were 39 infants, but tragically, eight have since lost their lives.

The story of Lobna al-Saik and her unnamed daughter provides insight into the plight of these vulnerable infants. Al-Saik's baby required oxygen due to breathing difficulties after being born prematurely. As the war escalated, the family was forced to flee their home, leaving the baby behind at Al Shifa Hospital. With deteriorating conditions and shortages of essentials, including electricity and water, the baby's health rapidly declined.

After being evacuated to Rafah, al-Saik was finally reunited with her baby girl. However, in order to accompany her to Egypt, she had to leave her other three children behind in Gaza, fearing for their safety. The emotional toll can be heard in al-Saik's voice as she shares the heart-wrenching reality of their separation.

UNICEF is working closely with Egyptian authorities to determine the circumstances of each baby, ensuring they receive the necessary support beyond immediate medical care. Dr. Mohammad Salama, head of the neonatal unit at Al-Helal Al-Emairati Maternity Hospital in Rafah, reported that the three infants who remained at the hospital were in stable condition. When the group arrived from Al Shifa Hospital, all 31 babies were said to be in a "catastrophic condition," suffering from malnutrition, dehydration, and low temperatures.

The conflict between Hamas fighters and Israel has resulted in devastating consequences, with Israeli figures reporting the loss of 1,200 lives, including children and babies, and the abduction of 240 individuals. In Gaza, health officials in the Hamas-controlled enclave have reported that at least 13,000 Palestinians, including 5,500 children, have been killed. Additionally, three-quarters of the Gaza population, which amounts to 2.3 million people, have been displaced due to the war.

The evacuation of these premature Gaza babies to Egypt highlights the urgent need for international attention and support to alleviate the suffering caused by this devastating conflict. As the world watches, efforts are being made to provide the necessary care and treatment to these fragile infants, hoping to bring them relief and a chance at a better future.