GAZA, (PIC)
Three Palestinian sisters in Gaza are battling a rare genetic immune disorder, as Israel’s blockade continues to prevent their access to life-saving treatment abroad.
Masa al-Khatib lies in a pediatric ward at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, her frail body connected to medical tubes, while her two sisters sit beside her, all suffering from the same condition that weakens their immune systems and stunts their growth.
Their father, Ahmad al-Khatib, said the girls have struggled with the illness since birth, experiencing repeated infections and no response to available treatments in Gaza. Although they received a medical referral through the World Health Organization in 2024, they have been unable to leave the territory due to border closures.
Doctors say Masa urgently needs a bone marrow transplant unavailable in Gaza, warning that her condition is deteriorating and poses a direct threat to her life.
Her mother described the family’s worsening humanitarian situation, saying they often cannot provide proper nutrition or medication. “Sometimes we cannot even find basic food,” she said.
Gaza’s healthcare system is under severe strain due to the Israeli blockade and shortages of medicine and equipment, limiting its ability to treat complex cases.
Local estimates indicate that around 22,000 patients require medical evacuation, while travel remains heavily restricted despite limited reopening of Rafah crossing.
The Israeli genocide in Gaza has devastated the healthcare sector, leaving thousands without access to critical treatment.
