In a heartbreaking yet hopeful moment, six-month-old Siwar Ashour was evacuated from Gaza, a conflict-ridden area where she faced severe malnutrition. Siwar's frail cry echoed as she left the chaos of her homeland, underscoring her resilience. Weighing just 3kg (6.6lb)—merely half of what is medically advised for her age—Siwar's journey to safety in Jordan began with her mother, Najwa, and grandmother, Reem, by her side.
Najwa expressed her relief upon crossing the border, noting the tranquility that enveloped them and stating, "It feels like there is a truce." This respite was crucial for Siwar and her family, who have endured the constant threat of violence and starvation. Accompanied by her father, Saleh, who is blind, the family's primary mission is Siwar’s health and safety. "I want to make sure she is safe and cured," he shared, his love for his daughter evident.
Siwar was a picture of vulnerability when she was first introduced to the world, struggling in a hospital in southern Gaza earlier this year, where a lack of vital nourishment left her frail. Her mother’s own malnutrition rendered her unable to breastfeed, compounding the infant's struggles. Thanks to the intervention of Jordanian medical teams and private donations, crucial milk formula was delivered, though a devastating blockade had constrained its availability.
Under an agreement formed between King Abdullah of Jordan and former President Trump in February, Jordan opened its doors to 2,000 seriously ill children from Gaza for critical treatment—an opportunity for many who have been failed by their stricken healthcare system. Since early March, 57 children have been successfully evacuated, with Siwar being among the latest to receive aid.
As Siwar and her family arrived in Jordan, they were greeted by a scene of relief—medical staff ready to distribute food and care, a stark contrast to the scarcity they left behind. Yet, the trauma of their journey was palpable. Extended periods of separation due to conflict have left scars on families like Najwa and Saleh’s, who faced uncertainty about their child’s fate amidst alternating fears of death and injury.
Traveling to the capital Amman, Siwar remained awake in her grandmother's embrace while Najwa, now pregnant with another child, succumbed to exhaustion. As they arrived, Siwar was swiftly transferred to receive the comprehensive care she desperately needed, while her family settled into a night free from fear—a rare and precious reprieve in their ongoing ordeal.
The emotional weights they carry—the losses, fears, and hopes—remain as heavy as ever, but for Siwar, the journey toward recovery has begun. The next few days will be crucial as medical professionals assess her condition and provide the necessary treatment that remains unattainable in Gaza’s devastated healthcare landscape. For this family, and many like them, the fight for survival continues, but now, there is a new light guiding their path forward.
