CHICAGO – Four children injured in the war in Gaza arrived in Chicago Sunday for medical treatment thanks to the work of a local nonprofit.
The children who arrived in Chicago from Gaza were seriously injured by bombs and missel strikes. After traveling for days, they received a warm welcome from dozens of people at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
Among the four children from Gaza was 15-year-old Yazan, who lost both of his legs during a missel strike.
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“[The journey] was difficult, but thank God we’re here safely,” Yazan said through an interpreter.
According to HEAL Palestine, Yazan, Seedra, Mohammed and Adam will spend the next several months receiving medical treatment in the Midwest. It’s treatment that has been scarce in war-stricken Gaza.
“The health system has been destroyed. The main hospital in Gaza has been bombed. Hundreds of doctors have been killed or imprisoned,” Executive Director of HEAL Palestine Steve Sosebee said.
At O’Hare to cheer the children on were Khaleen and Layan, who both came to the U.S. from Gaza through HEAL Palestine several months ago. Both are said to have made tremendous strides in their recovery.
“She lost both of her legs. Now she’s walking, and if you saw her, you wouldn’t realize she was a double amputee and that’s why she’s here, to tell Yazan, ‘Hey, I started this journey a year ago like you. I came in a wheelchair and here I am meeting you, walking,’” Sosebee said.
According to Sosebee, this effort wouldn’t be possible without the help of host families – people who’ve volunteered to let the children stay with them as they recover. Layan said her host family has become family.
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“It’s so nice because I have a sister, and Bubba and Momma and it’s nice,” she said.
Three of the children will receive treatment at Chicagoland hospitals, while the fourth will be receiving treatment in Cleveland.
HEAL Palestine said they plan to bring more children from Gaza here in the coming months.
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