Amman, July 29 (Petra) – In response to the dire health crisis afflicting the Gaza Strip, Jordan has stepped forward to provide critical humanitarian support to Palestinian cancer patients, particularly children, who have been deprived of their basic right to medical care amid the ongoing Israeli aggression.

Since the outbreak of the war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, the King Hussein Cancer Foundation and Center (KHCF/KHCC) has admitted 142 cancer patients from the Strip most of them children along with 250 accompanying relatives.

Forced to flee their homes under the weight of relentless bombardment, these families sought refuge in Jordan in pursuit of safety and life-saving treatment.
This initiative aligns with His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein’s directive to admit 2,000 sick and injured children from Gaza for treatment in Jordan, at the Kingdom’s expense a gesture that reflects Jordan’s enduring humanitarian commitment and its principled stance on justice and human dignity.

Children battling cancer and their families shared with the Jordan News Agency (Petra) the extent of the suffering they endured due to the collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system. They expressed profound appreciation for Jordan’s unwavering support, spearheaded by His Majesty the King, whose royal grant made possible the treatment of Gaza’s children with cancer. They offered prayers for the continued peace and stability of Jordan, commending the Kingdom for embodying the values of generosity, solidarity, and compassion in the face of unimaginable hardship.

Rahaf Kaskin, an 11-year-old girl diagnosed with a pituitary gland tumor that caused the loss of her sight, was among the children transferred to Jordan. Her mother recounted the grim circumstances of Rahaf’s diagnosis just a month after the war began following a sudden health decline. Due to the lack of diagnostic equipment at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Rahaf was left without proper care. With support from the Palestinian Ministry of Health and the Sanjoud Foundation an American nonprofit assisting children with cancer Rahaf was taken to Egypt, where she underwent partial tumor removal and received two chemotherapy doses.

She was later transferred to the King Hussein Cancer Center, where her condition was thoroughly reassessed. She completed chemotherapy and 16 brain radiation sessions. Today, her condition is stable, with no remaining signs of the tumor. She continues to receive treatment, including medications, vitamins, and hormonal therapy.

Similarly, Yousef Sabouh, a 9-year-old boy suffering from leukemia, arrived in Jordan through the royal grant program after experiencing a serious health setback. His father explained that Yousef had endured over three years of illness and had been left without treatment for two months due to the destruction of Gaza’s al-Rantisi Hospital by Israeli airstrikes. After being transferred to a hospital in Egypt, it was determined that his treatment there was incompatible with the protocol he had been following in Gaza.

During this time, the Jordanian ambassador visited them in Cairo and arranged for their transfer to Jordan a moment the family described as a turning point that brought hope and relief.

Upon arrival in Jordan, Yousef received a warm welcome at KHCC. His father noted that just two days later, Her Majesty Queen Rania visited the center to check on the patients and their families, inquiring about their medical and emotional well-being.

In an effort to restore normalcy to the children’s lives, Jordanian schools have extended educational sponsorships to children with cancer arriving from Gaza. Not only did Yousef find treatment in Jordan, he also regained a sense of normalcy. Although Yousef continues to receive chemotherapy and medications, his overall condition has significantly improved, and he now leads a relatively stable daily life.

Nisreen Qatamesh, Director General of the King Hussein Cancer Foundation, told Petra that the Foundation, acting under the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah II and the supervision of Her Royal Highness Princess Ghida Talal, Chair of the Board of Trustees, has embraced Gaza’s cancer patients and their families on their medical journey.

To ensure a comprehensive support system, KHCF established the "Gaza Fund," which covers the full cost of medical treatment at KHCC, accommodations for patients and their companions, daily meals, monthly food and clothing coupons, stipends, and educational scholarships for both patients and their relatives.

Additionally, the fund provides emergency medical assistance and caregivers as needed. To date, the total cost of this humanitarian initiative has exceeded JD7 million.

Qatamesh emphasized that KHCF/KHCC continues to coordinate closely with relevant authorities to facilitate the safe evacuation and transfer of patients from Gaza, ensuring they receive dignified, comprehensive care within a secure environment.

Upon their arrival, patients and their families undergo psychological assessments to address the trauma they have experienced due to the war. Follow-up care includes consultations with mental health specialists, and where needed, palliative and home care services are also provided. Caregivers are made available at both the center and designated accommodations to support the patients’ recovery and well-being.

//Petra// AJ

29/07/2025 13:33:18