Gaza Patients Return Home to Devastation After Years of Medical Limbo – Urgent Breaking News
Jerusalem – In a poignant and complex moment amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis, 96 Palestinian patients and their companions have voluntarily returned to Gaza after being stranded in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv for up to two years seeking medical treatment. The return, which took place on November 17th, 2025, highlights both a glimmer of hope and the stark realities facing those attempting to rebuild lives in a war-ravaged enclave. This breaking news story, reported by archyde.com, delves into the individual stories behind the numbers and the systemic challenges that continue to plague the Palestinian healthcare system.
A Difficult Homecoming: From Hospital Beds to Rubble
The patients, many having sought treatment for serious conditions like cancer and leukemia, faced an agonizing choice: remain in relative safety with continued access to medical care, or return to a Gaza stripped bare by conflict. Aya Kouheil, a mother whose son Nabil tragically died in a Jerusalem hospital while awaiting treatment, exemplifies this dilemma. “Until the time the buses arrived, I had my hands clutched to my heart, full of anxiety,” she shared, relieved that she and her surviving child, Mohammed, could remain. However, her husband remains in Gaza, living in a tent after their family home was destroyed, a stark reminder of the devastation awaiting those who returned.
The decision to return wasn’t easy. Those who did go back reported a level of destruction far exceeding what they had witnessed through social media. The healthcare infrastructure in Gaza has been decimated – two-thirds of the 647 medical facilities operational before October 2023 are now out of service, leaving only three hospitals functioning at full capacity, according to the NGO Gisha. This collapse of the healthcare system underscores the urgent need for sustained humanitarian aid and a long-term solution to the medical crisis.
The Two-Year Ordeal: A Life Suspended
For patients like Amna Lajel, who arrived in Jerusalem for breast cancer treatment just as the current conflict erupted, the past year has been a life suspended. “I came out of the operating room, I woke up, it was war,” she recounted. While she completed her chemotherapy in Jerusalem, she remains unable to return to her four children, facing the agonizing separation and the constant fear for their safety. The stories of these patients are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, but also a damning indictment of the obstacles they face simply seeking basic medical care.
The process of even getting to Jerusalem was fraught with challenges. Aya Kouheil’s family faced a harrowing ordeal when Israel seized the Rafah crossing point to Egypt in May 2024, initially jeopardizing their access to life-saving treatment. Their eventual arrival was an exception, facilitated by an American organization, highlighting the ad-hoc and often unpredictable nature of medical evacuations.
Navigating Bureaucracy and Uncertainty
The legal status of these patients in Jerusalem is precarious. While Cogat, the Israeli army body overseeing Palestinian civil affairs, confirms that the return was voluntary and coordinated, those remaining face a bureaucratic limbo. Around 25 patients lack formal permits, relying on a “tacit agreement” with Cogat, leaving them hesitant to venture far from the hospital for fear of repercussions. This uncertainty adds another layer of stress to an already incredibly difficult situation.
Evergreen Context: The History of Medical Access for Palestinians – Access to healthcare for Palestinians has been a long-standing issue, often hampered by political restrictions and logistical challenges. Prior to the recent escalation, obtaining permits for medical treatment outside of Gaza was already a complex and time-consuming process. The current crisis has exacerbated these existing problems, creating a humanitarian catastrophe within a healthcare catastrophe.
A Call for Reopened Humanitarian Corridors
Dr. Fadi Atrash, director of Augusta-Victoria hospital, is now leading efforts to reopen a humanitarian corridor between Gaza and hospitals in East Jerusalem. His plan, finalized in October, aims to streamline the transport of patients and coordinate care between facilities. This initiative, coupled with a recent appeal to the Israeli Supreme Court by human rights organizations like Physicians for Human Rights Israel (Phri), underscores the growing pressure to resume medical evacuations for urgent cases. Currently, an estimated 16,500 patients in Gaza are waiting to be evacuated.
Mohammed Qashash, a colon cancer patient recovering in Jerusalem, poignantly illustrates the stakes. “In Gaza, there are no beds, no mattresses, no toilets, no running water… In my state, it’s impossible to manage,” he said. His story, and those of countless others, serve as a powerful reminder of the human cost of conflict and the urgent need for a lasting solution that prioritizes access to healthcare for all.
The return of these 96 patients marks a small step, but the overwhelming need remains. The situation demands sustained international attention, increased humanitarian aid, and a commitment to rebuilding Gaza’s shattered healthcare system. For ongoing updates and in-depth coverage of this developing story, and other critical global events, stay tuned to archyde.com.
