In a powerful moment of hope, six-month-old Siwar Ashour has been evacuated from war-torn Gaza to Jordan for much-needed medical treatment. Despite her frail condition and weighing only 3 kg (6.6 lb) at her young age, Siwar embodies resilience and survival, her weak cries resonating with a promise of life. Her mother, Najwa, shared her relief crossing into Jordan, expressing a much-welcomed sense of quietness, comparing it to a truce: "We will spend our night without rockets and bombing with God’s will."
Siwar's journey included her grandmother Reem and her father Saleh, who is blind, all united in their primary motive: ensuring Siwar’s safety and recovery. “She’s my daughter, my own flesh and blood,” Saleh reflected, voicing his heart-wrenching concerns for her health. Upon arrival, grandmother Reem declared victory with a fitting V sign, overwhelmed with joy to finally be in a place of safety.
Previously filmed in Gaza where medical supplies were tragically inadequate, baby Siwar’s condition had worsened due to malnutrition as her mother struggled to feed her. The recent evacuation was part of a larger humanitarian initiative involving Jordan, where thousands of sick children are provided treatment amidst Gaza’s failing medical system. In fact, since March, many families have faced unimaginable hardship, often losing loved ones during essential searches for food or medical treatment.
Upon arrival in Amman, Siwar was cared for by Jordanian medical staff, receiving hydration and nourishment, a stark contrast to the dire conditions she faced just hours prior. This evacuation symbolizes the harrowing experiences of countless families caught in the crossfire of conflict, revealing the trauma that unites them in their quest for safety and health. Over the days to come, Siwar will undergo critical treatments unavailable in her homeland, surrounded by family who can finally rest easy, if only for a moment.
