Babies and Their Mothers at Makasid Hospital in Jerusalem
The Maqasid Hospital in Jerusalem is also opening its doors to patients from the West Bank and Gaza Strip, where health services are more limited. In August and September 2023, three mothers from the Gaza Strip gave birth to a total of five babies at the hospital. However, these babies were supposed to stay at the hospital due to premature birth, and their mothers had to return because their residence permits had expired or they could not find accommodation in the region.
Following Israel’s violent attacks on Gaza on October 7, 2023, these 5 newborns were trapped in a hospital in Jerusalem. Now over a year old, these babies are being raised away from their mothers by doctors, nurses, and social workers at the hospital.
Babies’ Condition and Treatment Process
Dr. Hatim Kimashi, Director of Makasid Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Department, stated that the babies were born prematurely about a year ago. Stating that the babies were taken to the intensive care unit after birth and that their mothers had to return to Gaza, Kimashi shared the following information:
- “These babies grew up far away from their families after the crossings to Gaza were closed in September 2023 due to the Jewish holidays and Israel’s incessant attacks began immediately after on October 7.”
- “We are currently taking care of these babies. Some of them had health problems and they got better over time. Others continue to grow healthily.”
- “We undertake all their needs such as child care, vaccinations, nutrition and treatments.”
Stating that children are forced to migrate from one place to another for the safety of their mothers, Kimaşi emphasized that the absence of mothers has a negative impact on the health and development of children:
- “If children are not with their mothers, they will grow up as orphans, but they are not actually orphans. We are trying to do our best to help with volunteers, nurses and social workers, but it is not possible to replace a mother. “
- “It is dangerous to send babies to Gaza because there is no security in Gaza, there is bombardment and we are worried about their safety. “There is no clean water in Gaza, there are many diseases and health services are lacking.”
- “The best option is to bring the mothers back to their children or wait for the situation in Gaza to improve and then reunite the babies with their families.”
Support from UNICEF and Other Institutions
Kimashi stated that UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, Germany’s Diplomatic Representative in the Palestinian Territories Oliver Owcza and the World Health Organization (WHO) regional representative visited the hospital and said they would look into the babies’ situation, but they have not yet received any concrete results:
- “Their goal is to reunite babies with their mothers.”
Babies’ Needs and Psychological Support
Five babies, around one year old, are buzzing with the sounds of children in the neonatal intensive care unit. Volunteers, nurses and social workers provide feeding, diaper changing and general care to these babies. Henan Lidyuk, mother of triplet girls Necvan, Necme and Nur, is able to talk to her babies on the phone with video thanks to social workers.
Makasid Hospital Social Services Department Employee Nebil Kasım stated that they try to care for the babies as if they were their own children:
- “We are concerned about the psychological development of babies. We are doing our best as alternative mothers.”
- “We try to care for them through skin-to-skin contact, hugging them, and eye contact. “We are in contact with their mothers, but sometimes this communication can be cut off due to the conditions in Gaza.”
Kasım emphasized that efforts are being made to ensure that mothers can meet with their babies and that it is important for babies to see their mothers’ faces and recognize their voices during this process:
- “We work to keep that connection going, but it’s not always normal or easy.”
- “Mothers miss and worry about their babies. “We try to provide them with the best care.”
Kasım, who is also a mother of two children, expressed her hopes by saying, “No one in the world can fill the void of a mother. “As alternative mothers, we do our best to provide attention and love, but no one can eliminate the absence of a mother.”
Children and the Situation in Gaza
The biggest victims of Israel’s attacks on Gaza are children once again. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, more than 16,500 of the more than 40,000 martyrs since October 7 are children. The Gaza Government Press Office reported that approximately 17,000 children in the area are living without one or both parents, and more than 120,000 babies are in need of milk and formula.
