‘Trapped’: Gaza patients flown to Iraq stuck in administrative limbo
Summary
Forty-six Palestinians from Gaza, including patients and their family escorts, were evacuated to Baghdad, Iraq, for medical treatment in March 2024. However, many remain stuck in Iraq because their travel documents were taken by Iraqi authorities, preventing them from returning home or continuing treatment elsewhere.Key Facts
- The group consists of 21 patients with serious health conditions and 25 family escorts.
- Patients include those with cancer, blood disorders, heart and kidney diseases, and injuries from the ongoing conflict.
- Gaza's Rafah border crossing to Egypt is the only exit point for Palestinians but is heavily restricted.
- Over 20,000 Gazans need medical care abroad, but only a small number have been allowed to leave since February 2024.
- Many Gazan children suffer from severe injuries and urgent medical conditions requiring foreign treatment.
- Women and newborns in Gaza face high rates of premature births and infant deaths since the conflict escalated.
- Upon arrival in Iraq, evacuees’ identification and travel documents were confiscated by Iraqi authorities.
- The confiscation has trapped families away from home, preventing reunions and further medical travel.
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