Hamed and Basma Abu Zerka arrived in Adana, Turkiye, after a medical evacuation intended to treat their malnourished children. Abdullah, their four-and-a-half-year-old son, died in a hospital bed after months of severe malnutrition during Israel's siege of Gaza. A viral video showing Abdullah screaming in hunger prompted international attention and diplomatic efforts that enabled the family's evacuation. Habiba, the six-month-old daughter, remains hospitalized and continues to fight for life. Turkish officials facilitated the humanitarian transfer, but weeks-long delays meant the evacuation arrived too late to save Abdullah amid shortages of food, clean water and ongoing bombardment.
The fluorescent lights of Adana City Training and Research Hospital cast harsh shadows across Hamed Abu Zerka's gaunt face as he stands beside his six-month-old daughter's hospital bed. The 34-year-old's weathered hands tremble as he adjusts Habiba's blanket. Abdullah, his four-and-a-half-year-old son, died Tuesday morning in this same room, his small body finally succumbing to the malnutrition that had been slowly consuming him for months as Israel laid siege to Gaza.
Abdullah and Habiba needed urgent treatment, Hamed continues, his eyes fixed on his daughter. Every day, they became smaller, weaker. The evacuation to Turkiye came through a Foreign Ministry humanitarian programme, with Turkish officials working diplomatic channels to secure the family's passage. But the process took weeks time that Abdullah's failing body couldn't afford. Turkish officials contacted us and were with us until we arrived here, Hamed explains.
Collection
[
|
...
]