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One-year-old Siwar Ashour returns to Gaza hospital
A Palestinian toddler, Siwar Ashour, has been hospitalized again in Gaza just days after completing medical treatment in Jordan and being repatriated to the war-torn territory.
Rapid deterioration after return
Siwar, whose case the BBC has documented for months, was sent back to Gaza on 3 December following six months of care in Amman. Her grandmother, Sahar Ashour, reported that the child fell ill within 72 hours of arriving home.
"She developed severe diarrhea and vomiting, and her condition continues to worsen. The diarrhea persists despite treatment," Sahar Ashour told a BBC-affiliated freelance journalist in Gaza. International media have been barred from independently entering Gaza since the conflict escalated nearly two years ago.
Medical challenges in Gaza
Siwar is now receiving care at al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central Gaza. Dr. Khalil al-Daqran, her physician, confirmed she is battling a gastrointestinal infection. The toddler's weakened immune system makes it difficult for her body to combat bacteria, and she struggles to absorb nutrients, requiring a specialized hypoallergenic formula.
Dr. al-Daqran noted that Gaza's hospitals-many damaged by Israeli airstrikes and nearby fighting before an October ceasefire-are experiencing a surge in pediatric admissions. The destruction of critical infrastructure has led to unsanitary conditions, fueling the spread of infections and diseases.
"Since the ceasefire, the number of child patients arriving at Gaza hospitals has tripled beyond capacity... Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital faces severe shortages of medicines, medical supplies, and reliable electricity-essential for keeping the facility operational."
Dr. Khalil al-Daqran, al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital
Humanitarian crisis deepens
The World Health Organization (WHO) described Gaza's humanitarian needs as "staggering," with current aid barely meeting basic survival requirements.
Siwar was initially evacuated to Jordan in June after the BBC highlighted her case to Jordanian authorities. Jordan's Minister of Communications, Dr. Mohammed al-Momani, stated that Siwar was among 45 children returned to Gaza after completing treatment under the kingdom's medical evacuation program.
When questioned about sending a vulnerable child back to Gaza's dire conditions, Dr. al-Momani explained: "No patient is repatriated before completing treatment. The first reason for returns is to free up space for more patients from Gaza. We cannot accommodate everyone at once-we operate in batches. So far, we've received 18 groups."
He added that Jordan aims to avoid contributing to Palestinian displacement, emphasizing that all patients are informed they will return home after treatment to allow others to receive care.
Aid restrictions and confiscations
Jordan has treated over 300 sick and wounded children from Gaza since March, along with 730 parents and guardians, out of 2,000 scheduled for evacuation. Other regional countries, including the UAE and Turkey, have also provided medical care to thousands of Gaza's civilians.
Siwar's family was given 12 cans of Neocate formula upon leaving Jordan, but Israeli officials confiscated nine cans at the border. Her mother, Najwa Ashour, recounted:
"They told us, 'Only these cans are allowed.' Even though it's therapeutic milk and they claimed treatment items are permitted, they took them anyway."
Najwa Ashour, Siwar's mother
Najwa added that Israeli authorities also seized extra clothing, forcing the family to remove layered garments before crossing. The Israeli government stated that luggage limits were imposed for "security considerations" and that families were informed of the restrictions in advance.
Calls for expanded medical evacuations
The WHO has urged more countries to offer medical evacuations for Gaza patients unable to receive treatment locally. It also appealed to Israel to permit evacuations to East Jerusalem and the West Bank, describing this as the "most time- and cost-effective route." Israel halted such transfers after the 7 October Hamas-led attacks, which killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in 251 abductions.
COGAT, the Israeli military body overseeing aid, stated that procedures for Gazans seeking treatment abroad have been "substantially eased."
Siwar's family is now attempting to secure another evacuation. The process has begun with a permit issued by Palestinian health officials, and the WHO will coordinate the transfer from what the UN has called "a wasteland."
